DIY GH Booster Recipe
DIY GH Booster is the budget-conscious shrimp keeper's approach to remineralization. Using readily available minerals like calcium sulfate (gypsum) and magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), you can create y
Product Overview
DIY GH Booster is the budget-conscious shrimp keeper's approach to remineralization. Using readily available minerals like calcium sulfate (gypsum) and magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), you can create your own remineralizer at a fraction of commercial product costs. While this approach requires more water chemistry knowledge and testing, it provides excellent value for experienced keepers with multiple tanks who want to minimize ongoing expenses.
Detailed Review
Making your own GH booster is the most affordable way to remineralize RO water for shrimp keeping. The basic concept is simple: commercial remineralizers are just mineral salts, and those same salts are available cheaply from other sources. The most common recipe uses calcium sulfate (gypsum, available at garden stores) and magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt, available at pharmacies). A typical ratio is 3:1 calcium sulfate to magnesium sulfate. Some recipes add potassium chloride or other minerals. The advantages are obvious: a few dollars worth of minerals can last months, compared to $20-40 for commercial products. For keepers running multiple tanks with frequent water changes, the savings are substantial. However, DIY remineralization has real drawbacks. You need to understand water chemistry well enough to test and adjust your recipe. Results won't be as consistent as commercial products formulated for specific ratios. And there's a time investment in getting your formula dialed in. This approach works well for hardy Neocaridina with some forgiveness in parameters. For demanding Caridina species where precision matters, commercial products are worth the premium. If you want to try DIY but don't want to source individual ingredients, NilocG's premixed GH Booster offers a middle ground - essentially a commercial version of the DIY approach at a better price than premium brands.
Dosing Guide
Manufacturer Recommendation
Common recipe: 3 parts calcium sulfate (gypsum), 1 part magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt). Start with 0.5g per gallon and test, adjusting as needed.
Community Consensus
Works well for experienced keepers who understand water chemistry. Requires more testing and adjustment than commercial products. Great value but not for beginners. NilocG's premixed DIY GH Booster is a popular semi-commercial option.
Quick Dosing Reference
Approximate amounts for DIY GH Booster Recipe starting from 0 TDS RO water
| Target GH | Grams per Gallon | Grams per Liter |
|---|---|---|
| 4 dGH | 0.60g | 0.16g |
| 5 dGH | 0.75g | 0.20g |
| 6 dGH | 0.90g | 0.24g |
| 7 dGH | 1.05g | 0.28g |
Important Notes
- Always test your water after mixing and before adding to your tank
- TDS readings can vary based on your TDS meter calibration
- Dose to your target GH, not TDS, for best results
- Let water sit 10-15 minutes after mixing for accurate readings
Community Feedback
Community Consensus
The most affordable option by far for shrimp keepers who understand water chemistry. Requires more effort and testing than commercial products but saves significant money over time. Best for experienced keepers with multiple tanks. Not recommended for beginners or demanding species.
What Users Love
- Extremely affordable - pennies per use
- Ingredients readily available
- Full control over mineral ratios
- Great learning experience
- Works well once dialed in
Common Concerns
- Requires chemistry knowledge
- More testing and adjustment needed
- Not as consistent as commercial products
- Not recommended for demanding species
- Time investment to get right
Notable Discussions
- DIY remineralizer recipe threads
- Budget shrimp keeping guides
- Water chemistry deep dives
Feedback aggregated from Reddit (r/shrimptank, r/Aquariums), The Planted Tank Forum, and other aquarium communities. Individual experiences may vary.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely low cost - saves significantly over time
- Ingredients available at garden/hardware stores
- Full control over mineral composition
- Educational - teaches water chemistry
- Scales well for multiple tanks
Cons
- Requires water chemistry knowledge
- More testing and fine-tuning needed
- Less consistent than commercial options
- Time investment to dial in correctly
- Not ideal for demanding species
Frequently Asked Questions
The basic recipe requires calcium sulfate (gypsum) and magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) in a 3:1 ratio. Gypsum is available at garden stores, Epsom salt at pharmacies. Some recipes add potassium chloride.
DIY can cost as little as $0.50-1 per month compared to $3-5+ per month for commercial products. The savings are significant, especially for multiple tanks.
Yes, when properly mixed and tested. The minerals are the same ones in commercial products. The key is testing your water thoroughly and ensuring you're using food/aquarium-grade ingredients.
While technically possible, DIY is less consistent than commercial products. For demanding Caridina species, the precision of commercial remineralizers may be worth the cost.
The basic gypsum + Epsom salt recipe only raises GH. To raise KH as well (for Neocaridina), add baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to your recipe.
The Planted Tank Forum and r/shrimptank have detailed DIY remineralizer threads with tested recipes and dosing guides. Search for 'DIY GH booster' or 'homemade remineralizer'.
Alternative Products
GH Booster
Budget-conscious Neocaridina keepers and planted tank enthusiasts who want reliable results without premium pricing.
Equilibrium
Keepers of planted shrimp tanks who want a single product that benefits both plants and shrimp, and value local availability over shrimp-specific optimization.
Shrimp Mineral GH/KH+
All Neocaridina keepers who want the most reliable, well-documented remineralizer for Cherry Shrimp, Blue Dream, Yellow, and all other Neocaridina varieties.
Track Your Remineralization with ShrimpKeeper
Use our built-in calculator to dose DIY GH Booster Recipe perfectly every time. Track your parameters and see trends over time.
Quick Specs
Yields per Gram
Target Ranges
Available Sizes
Best For
Experienced shrimp keepers with multiple tanks who understand water chemistry and want to minimize ongoing costs.