Help with high GH.

[Queen Willow]

I'm just figuring out GH & KH and could use some direction. 

With the API Test Kit I have a KH of 5 and GH of 25. Which, if I'm right, means I have super hard water. 

What does that mean for keeping fish?  I believe it means shrimp are out of the question.

I have fish now that are fine, but going forward do I need to adjust it at all? Use distilled or RO water? How would either of those affect my KG? How would a water softener (for the whole house) affect fish keeping? 

Generally, what do I need to know or do any this high GH?

TIA

[KBOzzie59]

On 7/24/2021 at 4:40 PM, Queen Willow said:

I believe it means shrimp are out of the question.

Shrimp need GH for their molt cycle.  

https://aquariumbreeder.com/water-parameters-everything-about-gh-in-shrimp-tank/

[TankofFish]

you can mix distilled water in with your water changes, that will help lower your GH, I would keep the KH where its at or there about

 

https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/ph-gh-kh

[Biotope Biologist]

If you would like me to go into detail about water chemistry and how it works I can, but for now I am going to leave it simply ( I am really starting to think I need to make a video on water chemistry as it pertains to fishkeeping). Fish that prefer softer water may be picky about your gH most do not mind or prefer a higher gH. 

 

Fish you would have to modify your water parameters would include; some tetra, discus, some south american and central american cichlids, etc.

 

Fish that like high gH would include; goldfish, livebearers, and african cichlids

 

If you find that hard water is a nuisance to not only your fish, but to you as well I would recommend picking up a filter for the whole house. It certainly makes washing cars at home unmanageable. Otherwise I wouldn't worry to much about it and just avoid fish that prefer low pH water.