tithra 4,917 Posted May 26, 2013 (edited) I have been using Seachem Replenish for about a month now (ordered from tastyworms http://tastyworms.com/seachem-replenish.html) From the website: "Restore and Maintain GH of salts designed to replenish physiologically relevant minerals that are removed by reverse osmosis or deionizing filtration. Replenish restores General Hardness (GH) using a balanced blend of both soft (sodium potassium) and hard (calcium magnesium) salts. Restoration of mineral content is essential since a complete lack of minerals will result in osmotic stress in those species whose osmoregulation systems are adapted to a mineralized environment. Severe osmotic stress can result in osmotic shock which will lead to rapid death. Calcium (min)..................................................13.00% Calcium (max).................................................14.00% Magnesium (min)............................................1.00% Potassium (min)..............................................0.12% Sodium (min)...................................................0.60% Sodium (max)..................................................0.70% Ingredients: calcium chloride magnesium chloride sodium chloride potassium chloride" My gh out of the tap is 4 dGH (71.6 ppm). This is actually not terrible, but a little lower than I would like. Roberts (2010) suggests that 50-100ppm is ideal for freshwater tanks. As Seachem states above, gh is important for osmoregulation. Here is a great little article by Steve explaining osmoregulation if you're interested http://www.raingarden.us/osmoregulation.htm The instructions for Replenish say to add 1 capful (5ml) per 10 gallons to increase gh by 2.8 dGH. I have found this to be pretty accurate. Adding 3 capfuls to my 40 gallon tank gets me to 6 dGH (107 ppm). I have found this to be stable between my water changes so far. (I should also note that I tested the Replenish in a gallon of tap water as well because I use a buffer in my tank and was unable to say which was ultimately effecting my gh without testing the tap by itself, the Replenish worked as expected in the absence of a buffer) Overall, I like this product. I do wish it were a little more concentrated... I can see I will be going through this stuff pretty fast, but it does what it claims. Just a note: crushed coral will raise gh as well, and is certainly cheaper than using replenish. I have tried coral in the past and did not like having it in my filters and did not like the lack of control I had over how it effected pH/gh/kh. Because my kh/ph are so low out of the tap I was having to use a lot of coral to get a desired effect. I personally prefer to use a buffer to raise my kh/pH and the replenish to raise gh. I think crushed coral is a great option for a lot of people, but if it is not for you, Replenish is another possibility for raising gh! This post has been promoted to an article Edited June 18, 2013 by dnalex readjust font color 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flipper 13,057 Posted May 26, 2013 Excellent review. Appreciate your expertise and knowledge. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnalex 13,633 Posted May 26, 2013 What a great idea, Jess, and thanks for the review. I am thinking of either Replenish/Baking soda, or baking soda/wondershell, or baking soda/something to raise kH and gH. I am still working on what's cheapest. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tithra 4,917 Posted May 26, 2013 What a great idea, Jess, and thanks for the review. I am thinking of either Replenish/Baking soda, or baking soda/wondershell, or baking soda/something to raise kH and gH. I am still working on what's cheapest. please let me know what you decide! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wteoh1 22 Posted June 18, 2013 Does Seachem Replenish harm plants? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tithra 4,917 Posted June 18, 2013 Does Seachem Replenish harm plants? no. there are very few plants that need 'soft' water and a deficiency in calcium/magnesium can actually have ill effects of plants. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yafashelli 9,540 Posted June 18, 2013 What a great idea, Jess, and thanks for the review. I am thinking of either Replenish/Baking soda, or baking soda/wondershell, or baking soda/something to raise kH and gH. I am still working on what's cheapest. I've been using Barr's GH Booster, from here, for about six months. It's about six bucks a pound, and I really like it. I typically use a tablespoon per 30-35 gallon change, so it lasts me quite a while. For my kh, I use baking soda. Actually, I order most of my plant fert stuff from here. Their macro/micro mix is great. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tithra 4,917 Posted June 18, 2013 What a great idea, Jess, and thanks for the review. I am thinking of either Replenish/Baking soda, or baking soda/wondershell, or baking soda/something to raise kH and gH. I am still working on what's cheapest. I've been using Barr's GH Booster, from here, for about six months. It's about six bucks a pound, and I really like it. I typically use a tablespoon per 30-35 gallon change, so it lasts me quite a while. For my kh, I use baking soda. Actually, I order most of my plant fert stuff from here. Their macro/micro mix is great. Thanks for the link Tammy! I actually just got some gh booster from green leaf aquariums that I need to try out http://greenleafaquariums.com/aquarium-fertilizers-supplements/gh-booster.html 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yafashelli 9,540 Posted June 18, 2013 What a great idea, Jess, and thanks for the review. I am thinking of either Replenish/Baking soda, or baking soda/wondershell, or baking soda/something to raise kH and gH. I am still working on what's cheapest. I've been using Barr's GH Booster, from here, for about six months. It's about six bucks a pound, and I really like it. I typically use a tablespoon per 30-35 gallon change, so it lasts me quite a while. For my kh, I use baking soda. Actually, I order most of my plant fert stuff from here. Their macro/micro mix is great. Thanks for the link Tammy! I actually just got some gh booster from green leaf aquariums that I need to try out http://greenleafaquariums.com/aquarium-fertilizers-supplements/gh-booster.html Let me know how it goes! Buying things dry is so much cheaper! My next trial will be seachem safe. I've heard tons of good things about green leaf aquariums . 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tithra 4,917 Posted June 18, 2013 What a great idea, Jess, and thanks for the review. I am thinking of either Replenish/Baking soda, or baking soda/wondershell, or baking soda/something to raise kH and gH. I am still working on what's cheapest. I've been using Barr's GH Booster, from here, for about six months. It's about six bucks a pound, and I really like it. I typically use a tablespoon per 30-35 gallon change, so it lasts me quite a while. For my kh, I use baking soda. Actually, I order most of my plant fert stuff from here. Their macro/micro mix is great. Thanks for the link Tammy! I actually just got some gh booster from green leaf aquariums that I need to try out http://greenleafaquariums.com/aquarium-fertilizers-supplements/gh-booster.html Let me know how it goes! Buying things dry is so much cheaper! My next trial will be seachem safe. I've heard tons of good things about green leaf aquariums . ooooh, I forgot about prime in powdered form let me know how that goes! I like going to GLA and drooling over the co2 systems and drop checkers I have been trying to save up for one of their pH monitored co2 systems for awhile now, but unfortunately some more practical always comes up that I have to spend my savings on like bills 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yafashelli 9,540 Posted June 18, 2013 What a great idea, Jess, and thanks for the review. I am thinking of either Replenish/Baking soda, or baking soda/wondershell, or baking soda/something to raise kH and gH. I am still working on what's cheapest. I've been using Barr's GH Booster, from here, for about six months. It's about six bucks a pound, and I really like it. I typically use a tablespoon per 30-35 gallon change, so it lasts me quite a while. For my kh, I use baking soda. Actually, I order most of my plant fert stuff from here. Their macro/micro mix is great. Thanks for the link Tammy! I actually just got some gh booster from green leaf aquariums that I need to try out http://greenleafaquariums.com/aquarium-fertilizers-supplements/gh-booster.html Let me know how it goes! Buying things dry is so much cheaper! My next trial will be seachem safe. I've heard tons of good things about green leaf aquariums . ooooh, I forgot about prime in powdered form let me know how that goes! I like going to GLA and drooling over the co2 systems and drop checkers I have been trying to save up for one of their pH monitored co2 systems for awhile now, but unfortunately some more practical always comes up that I have to spend my savings on like bills I'm coming to that point where I'm going to need a few things, and I keep putting it off. NO MORE FISH MONEY! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wteoh1 22 Posted June 29, 2013 Is Seachem Replenish also eligible for my 10 gal betta tank? Bettas like soft water anyways 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
