I was looking up the Gold Marble Bristlenose Catfish (Ancistrus claro LDA008) on Planet Catfish. I find these little creatures interesting. But what does it mean when it says Conductivity range at type locality = 3-10 microsiemens?? Thanks in advance!
Conductivity Range?
- Thread starter DyArianna
- Start date
Well, I know Siemens is a measure of electrical conduciveness. I wasn't aware that this catfish was "electric" but perhaps this is what it's trying to state. I would have to research if it is but perhaps someone on here knows off hand. That's a new one on me so I will be interested to learn about it.
TwoTankAmin
Fish Connoisseur
It is a measure of what is in the water besides H2O.
Most people do not realize that pure water is a poor conductor of electricity. What makes water a good conductor is all the particles/microorganisms in it. So what is measured in terms of conductivity, is how well the water conducts. The better it conducts, the more stuff is in it. A lot of it will also show up as TDS- (Total Disolved Solids). This is actually measured in the same way as conductivity, but then the meter converts it to TDS having compensated for the temp. A portion of conductivity and TDS is what we fishy folks know as Hardness (GH) and Alkalinity (KH). Ions also affect conductivity.
Basically, depending on one's need for a measurement, the GH/KH kits will be the least accurate and the conductivity readings the most accurate. The TDS reading will vary in their accuracy but will pretty much track conductivity. I use a TDS meter for help when simulating dry and rainy seasons for plecos.
Most people do not realize that pure water is a poor conductor of electricity. What makes water a good conductor is all the particles/microorganisms in it. So what is measured in terms of conductivity, is how well the water conducts. The better it conducts, the more stuff is in it. A lot of it will also show up as TDS- (Total Disolved Solids). This is actually measured in the same way as conductivity, but then the meter converts it to TDS having compensated for the temp. A portion of conductivity and TDS is what we fishy folks know as Hardness (GH) and Alkalinity (KH). Ions also affect conductivity.
Basically, depending on one's need for a measurement, the GH/KH kits will be the least accurate and the conductivity readings the most accurate. The TDS reading will vary in their accuracy but will pretty much track conductivity. I use a TDS meter for help when simulating dry and rainy seasons for plecos.
TTA's answer is spot on. You can get meters that do all sorts of things like TDS, pH and conductivity, if you're so inclined. The more expensive the stock, the more likely people are to want to keep these things perfect, as is generally the way.
Thanks folks! I'm gathering this all in. I had not seen that in a few of the fish profiles I had been on. Will keep this all in mind should I someday find myself acquiring one of these fish. Will check out those meters too. I have no need for one currently, but no reason to not research them for future!
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