Hard water spots on leaves?

[Jannika]

TDS - 600-700 ppm
dH - 300 ppm
kH - 280 ppm
pH - 8.3

My water is so hard that the only plants I've been able to keep alive are Anubias, although they require weekly sponging algae off the leaves. Lately though, even they are beginning to show rough mineral deposits. Anything I can do, other than R/O? Thanks.

 

[jpappy789]

My tap water at home has hardness similar to yours...our city report last year said something like 310-340 ppm. So far I haven't had any issues with a variety of plants so I'm not sure if that is exactly what is going on. Are you able to scrape anything off?

 

[dundadundun]

old leafs, that's all. trim them and fresh new ones will eventually grow. that's just how they decay... looks like salt creep or calcium build up, but it's actually low spots on the surface, not buildup. rub a few leafs with it on them to double check and post back.

 

[TheFishBoss97]

+1, sort of

that happened to mine, no hard water though, they leaves turned all super dark ugly green, as the plant was getting way too much light, not enough Co2, then i trimmed those, and its all fine now

 

[Jannika]

My tap water at home has hardness similar to yours...our city report last year said something like 310-340 ppm. So far I haven't had any issues with a variety of plants so I'm not sure if that is exactly what is going on. Are you able to scrape anything off?

I was able to scrape most of it off with my fingernail, but kinda tore up the leaf in the process. lol
It feels real rough, but IS only on the older leafs like Dun said, so maybe it's time for a trim. Thanks all!

 

[dundadundun]

you're more than welcomed!

 

[myswtsins]

It does look and sound like calcium deposits. I have had these before on my anubias. Trimming the leaves will of coursetake car of it and it usually does affect the old leaves so as long as it remains that way trimming is a fair solution. The only way I got rid of it was to move the plants to a softer water tank, sorry I do not know a better solution.