It looks like I need to add more plants to my turtle tank because my nitrates are off the charts (although ammonia and nitrites are ZERO). My local water is apparently "Very Soft" according to my tests on both GH and KH. It's my understanding that plants in an aquarium NEED nutrients that are part of the "hardness" in order to do well. So it seems like I should increase my water hardness.
I have no fish in my tank right now- just a small eastern mud turtle, but I am going to upgrade her to a bigger tank soon (either 40 breeder or 55 gal) and I really want to add some fish. I know they're much more sensitive to water parameters than my turtle is, so I want to get this fixed well in advance.
So how do people increase water hardness? I've seen all sorts of things, including adding oyster grit to the filter along with baking soda, Epsom salts and salt substitute!
I have no fish in my tank right now- just a small eastern mud turtle, but I am going to upgrade her to a bigger tank soon (either 40 breeder or 55 gal) and I really want to add some fish. I know they're much more sensitive to water parameters than my turtle is, so I want to get this fixed well in advance.
So how do people increase water hardness? I've seen all sorts of things, including adding oyster grit to the filter along with baking soda, Epsom salts and salt substitute!