Hey to all fish owners that like fish that require harder water..... I found a cheap, healthy solution!! Epsom salt works great for hardening your water, while not effecting other things like PH.... Just wanted to share.
epsom salt sounds good and cheap but I was told it will also will be absorbed by the fish through the skin and gills much like saltwater fish do. Not sure if thats a good thing for freash water fish. True? not true? I use aquarium salt in very small tiny amounts not to raise levels but to keep the water healty and ward off any bugs.
I've heard 1 TEAspoon per 5 gallons; for Epsom Salt (MgSO4-Magnesium Sulfate). (Whereas aquarium salt is dosed at 1 TABLEspoon per 5 gallons; NaCl-Sodium Chloride)