{"product_id":"fritz-general-hardness-gh-test-kit-freshwater","title":"Fritz General Hardness (GH) Test Kit | Liquid GH Water Test for Freshwater Aquariums","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eFritz General Hardness (GH) Test Kit\u003c\/strong\u003e measures the total calcium and magnesium content of your freshwater aquarium — a critical parameter for fish, shrimp, and live plant health. GH (\"general hardness\") tells you whether your water has enough dissolved minerals for soft-water species like tetras, discus, and rams, or whether it's hard enough for livebearers, African cichlids, and shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePair this single-parameter kit with the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-master-test-kit-freshwater-saltwater-aquarium\"\u003eFritz Master Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e for full water-quality coverage, the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-phosphate-test-kit-po4-freshwater-saltwater\"\u003eFritz Phosphate Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e for algae troubleshooting, or browse the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003ewater testing collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eLiquid drop-titration test for General Hardness (GH)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDesigned for \u003cstrong\u003efreshwater aquariums\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSimple count-the-drops procedure — no color cards required\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eEach drop = 1 dGH (degree of General Hardness)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eLong shelf life when stored properly\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMade by Fritz Aquatics — a trusted name in aquarium chemistry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eHow to Test\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRinse the test vial with clean aquarium water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFill the vial to the indicated line with sample water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAdd the reagent one drop at a time, gently swirling the vial after each drop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCount the drops until the color changes from orange\/red to green.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThe number of drops added equals your GH in degrees (1 drop = 1 dGH ≈ 17.9 ppm).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAlways follow the printed kit instructions for the most accurate procedure and timing.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eTarget GH Ranges\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoft-water community (tetras, rasboras, discus, rams, gouramis):\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 – 8 dGH (50 – 140 ppm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGeneral community (most tropical fish):\u003c\/strong\u003e 4 – 12 dGH (70 – 210 ppm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLivebearers (guppies, mollies, platies, swordtails):\u003c\/strong\u003e 8 – 20 dGH (140 – 360 ppm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAfrican cichlids (Lake Malawi\/Tanganyika):\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 – 18 dGH (180 – 320 ppm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShrimp (Neocaridina):\u003c\/strong\u003e 6 – 12 dGH (110 – 210 ppm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCaridina shrimp (Crystals, Tigers):\u003c\/strong\u003e 4 – 6 dGH (70 – 110 ppm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:560px;\"\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFritz Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTests\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eGeneral Hardness (GH) — calcium + magnesium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTest Method\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLiquid drop-titration (count drops)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResolution\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1 drop = 1 dGH (~17.9 ppm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKit Includes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eReagent bottle, test vial, instructions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStorage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCool, dry place out of direct sunlight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-master-test-kit-freshwater-saltwater-aquarium\"\u003eFritz Master Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e — all-in-one liquid test kit for a full chemistry picture\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-phosphate-test-kit-po4-freshwater-saltwater\"\u003eFritz Phosphate Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e — track phosphate for algae control\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-6-in-1-aquarium-test-strips-100-count\"\u003eFritz 6-in-1 Test Strips\u003c\/a\u003e — quick daily-check companion to liquid kits\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquaforest-shrimp-gh-plus\"\u003eAquaforest Shrimp GH+\u003c\/a\u003e — raises GH for shrimp tanks running on RO\/DI\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hanna-hi735-total-hardness-freshwater-gh-checker\"\u003eHanna HI735 GH Checker\u003c\/a\u003e — digital precision alternative\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the difference between GH and KH?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGH (general hardness) measures dissolved calcium and magnesium. KH (carbonate hardness \/ alkalinity) measures bicarbonate buffer capacity. Both matter, but they describe different chemistry — and one doesn't predict the other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow often should I test GH?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWeekly if you keep livebearers, shrimp, or African cichlids — they're sensitive to swings. Monthly is enough for soft-water community tanks once you know your tap or RO\/DI baseline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMy GH is too low for shrimp. How do I raise it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAdd a remineralizer designed for shrimp, like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquaforest-shrimp-gh-plus\"\u003eAquaforest Shrimp GH+\u003c\/a\u003e. Avoid raising GH with crushed coral or aragonite — those raise KH and pH too, which most shrimp don't want.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use this in a saltwater tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. GH testing is for freshwater only — saltwater uses calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity tests instead. For saltwater, see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fritz","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48573453304027,"sku":"4007","price":11.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_5d170748-f68b-43c1-b9d4-e9bfd31958a5.png?v=1775566014","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-general-hardness-gh-test-kit-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}