Raising water hardness, is baking soda regularly the best way to go?

[chibae]

Hi all. I have been testing my mini pond regularly with a TDS meter. Between soda doses it reads 111. A day after the soda goes in it hits in the 150's. It is filled with well water that goes through a sediment filter only, no softening type treatment.
I don't mind using baking soda regularly. I was just wondering if there was a less intensive way, such as adding a calcium block like they make for turtle tanks.

 

[j.w]

Hi all. I have been testing my mini pond regularly with a TDS meter. Between soda doses it reads 111. A day after the soda goes in it hits in the 150's. It is filled with well water that goes through a sediment filter only, no softening type treatment.
I don't mind using baking soda regularly. I was just wondering if there was a less intensive way, such as adding a calcium block like they make for turtle tanks.

Here is a thread from this site that might help you: https://www.gardenpondforum.com/threads/low-gh-and-kh-what-to-do.12047/
I have a bag of crushed oyster shells hanging near my water fall. Never tested GH but I just do it to be safe.

 

[chibae]

Here is a thread from this site that might help you: https://www.gardenpondforum.com/threads/low-gh-and-kh-what-to-do.12047/
I have a bag of crushed oyster shells hanging near my water fall. Never tested GH but I just do it to be safe.

Thank you. I have followed the links, et al before posting. Part of my problem is that my only source of water movement is a solar fountain. From what i have read things such as crushed oyster shells dissolve very, very slowly in still water.

 

[j.w]

Thank you. I have followed the links, et al before posting. Part of my problem is that my only source of water movement is a solar fountain. From what i have read things such as crushed oyster shells dissolve very, very slowly in still water.

Yes that is why I have mine hanging near my falls.

 

[GBBUDD]

Thank you. I have followed the links, et al before posting. Part of my problem is that my only source of water movement is a solar fountain. From what i have read things such as crushed oyster shells dissolve very, very slowly in still water.

Crushed oyster shells dissolve very slowly period but more so In still water yes

 

[chibae]

Well did some more research and am wondering about trying this.
Using one of those calcium blocks they sell for indoor aquariums and turtle tanks. They seem to be softer than ground oyster shells and hopefully will dissolve quicker. I would be suspending it in a mesh bag, checking the water TDS often and remove it if things the readings start getting higher than optimum.