Post by Carl on Jun 18, 2019 9:24:31 GMT -5
I've updated our popular "Aquarium Chemistry" article
americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumKH.html
Here is an excerpt from the "Overview" section
"Popular but outdated aquarium traditions state that only certain fish need water high in electrolytes and calcium, this is only partly true.
It is noteworthy that the Fish Body (as an organism) is alkaline by nature and is constantly attacked by free radicals which are usually acidic.
While freshwater fish absorb needed H2O (saltwater drink constantly), the need for these electrolytes and calcium for some fish (such as Amazon River fish) is lower than some, however Proper Osmotic function still requires that calcium and other electrolytes be present in the aquatic environment as well as foods.
Reference: Fish Osmotic Function
This is why I have found that even fish such as Ram Cichlids thrive in a Balanced Reducing environment that has a Calcium level that often brings the GH over 150 ppm so as to provide positive mineral ions that are rapidly depleted in the closed system ANY aquarium is.
This is also why the aquarium traditions of lower GH for certain fish are only half correct as they miss the aspect of balancing water with important mineral cations as well as with acid buffers.
The result of incomplete mineral cations is often a fish that is more susceptible to disease (such as Columnaris) with shorter life spans.
Reference: A Healthy Aquarium; Disease Prevention
In particular this quote from the above article: "Bringing this back to an aquarium, if you immediately drive out all positive mineral ions in a mis-guided attempt to duplicate the Amazon environment, your fish will be constantly deprived of these essential mineral ions!
This is analogous to a person avoiding all sun and then refusing to take any vitamin D supplements."
The FACTS are just as all people need vitamin D, ALL FISH need positive mineral ions!!"
Carl
americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumKH.html
Here is an excerpt from the "Overview" section
"Popular but outdated aquarium traditions state that only certain fish need water high in electrolytes and calcium, this is only partly true.
It is noteworthy that the Fish Body (as an organism) is alkaline by nature and is constantly attacked by free radicals which are usually acidic.
While freshwater fish absorb needed H2O (saltwater drink constantly), the need for these electrolytes and calcium for some fish (such as Amazon River fish) is lower than some, however Proper Osmotic function still requires that calcium and other electrolytes be present in the aquatic environment as well as foods.
Reference: Fish Osmotic Function
This is why I have found that even fish such as Ram Cichlids thrive in a Balanced Reducing environment that has a Calcium level that often brings the GH over 150 ppm so as to provide positive mineral ions that are rapidly depleted in the closed system ANY aquarium is.
This is also why the aquarium traditions of lower GH for certain fish are only half correct as they miss the aspect of balancing water with important mineral cations as well as with acid buffers.
The result of incomplete mineral cations is often a fish that is more susceptible to disease (such as Columnaris) with shorter life spans.
Reference: A Healthy Aquarium; Disease Prevention
In particular this quote from the above article: "Bringing this back to an aquarium, if you immediately drive out all positive mineral ions in a mis-guided attempt to duplicate the Amazon environment, your fish will be constantly deprived of these essential mineral ions!
This is analogous to a person avoiding all sun and then refusing to take any vitamin D supplements."
The FACTS are just as all people need vitamin D, ALL FISH need positive mineral ions!!"
Carl