Water hardness in farming
Water hardness measures the content of water-soluble minerals. They are mainly salts containing calcium ions (Ca2+) and magnesium ions (Mg2+). Water hardness is measured by a TDS meter. TDS stands for “total dissolved solids.”
Water hardness is defined as the number of calcium carbonate salt (CaCO3) in water. It is reported in miligram/liter (mg/L), or parts per million (ppm). The table below will explain different degrees of water hardness in farming ponds:
| 0-75 ppm CaCO3 | Soft water |
| 75-150 ppm CaCO3 | Slightly hard water |
| 150-300 ppm CaCO3 | Hard water |
| Trên 300 ppm CaCO3 | Very hard water |
The hardness of water in ponds and lakes suitable for shrimp and fish farming is 20-150 ppm.
Water with high levels of hardness (over 300 ppm, or over 300 mg/L) will make shrimp difficult to peel and reduce shrimp growth.
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