Oyster shells help to maintain good GH+ and KH+ values. These oyster shells have a stabilizing effect on the KH and PH values. KH indicates the carbonate hardness of the water.
Many people think that if their tap water is harder, it won't cause problems for the KH and pH of the water. KH works a bit like a buffer for the acidity (pH) of the water.
Fish, plants and the biological filter "consume" the water hardness (KH). If the water is not changed enough during the winter, for example, the KH can drop quickly. The KH also drops quickly during rainy periods. This has major consequences for the fish, because the pH can drop suddenly.
KH is not measured regularly enough in the pools. Only in case of problems, and therefore when it is already too late, do we try to remedy the situation by adding, for example, KH+ powder. But KH+ powder has a number of disadvantages:
- a lot of powder disappears through the bottom drain / filtering system
- a short-term boosted effect, large fluctuations in water values
- you have to constantly measure and add powder
Oyster shells ensure a complete stabilization of KH and pH in the long term. Oyster shells dissolve only when the KH value drops and thus have a buffering effect on the pH.
They do not depend at all on the amount of rain, water changes or seasons: oyster shells ensure a stable level of KH and pH values of the water. Only when the oyster shells are practically dissolved is it necessary to add more. As a rough guideline, one bag of oyster shells per year for a volume of 10 m3 will be enough; the necessary quantity naturally depends on the factors described above.
Air-Aqua oyster shells are supplied in a net and can be easily rinsed. The oyster shells are washed with chlorine and then dried: a guarantee of elimination of harmful bacteria, fungi and disease germs. The shells are also suitable for use as biological filter material in a drip system or in a multi-chamber system.
