Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2014 10:48:36 GMT -5
Greetings All,
Low KH can be a real problem for home aquarists. I have no idea how water supplies can have a high pH and low KH (right from the tap)-- but that seems to becoming more of a problem in many areas. The nitrogen cycle needs KH to work. How much, I don't really know, but the cycle fails/stops if lower than 2 degrees. The good bacteria don't die out... just slow down (go dormant? Carl can explain the science here -- I am a storyteller).
One way to increase KH is to add a little pouch of crushed coral rock/aragonite in your filter. Start with a very small amount (Like 1 tablespoon for 75 gallons). If this works, you have the right amount. If the pH rises too much, take a little out.... If the pH drops in a day or two, add a little more.
When I first started to have problems, I called API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc) - and this is the advice I was given. It took me two years before I could get a store to give me just a little. Who wants to buy a whole bag for just one tablespoon?
If your pH is low, stop using phosphate buffers and use Alkaline buffers (you may have to also use Acid buffer). If you can't get Alkaline Buffer, look for Cichlid buffers that do not contain phosphates. I used Cichlid buffers for a couple of years - just to maintain a pH of 7.0 to 7.2. Once the local tap water KH was testing lower than 2 degrees... I went out again looking for some crushed coral rock and was given a small container of it. No matter how hard I tried - I could not get that same store to USE their own crushed coral to keep their KH up (the national company would not allow it!)
I have way more than I need and will send some FREE to anyone who sends me a Private message (providing I don't get hundreds of requests, that is -- so first come first serve). Mine is just crushed coral -- no idea if it has aragonite, too.
Carib-Sea has a product you can buy. I called the company to ask if I needed the new-to-me product. The associate was honest with me and told me to keep doing what I was doing -- but that his crushed coral is better (so look for a store that sells salt water fish and see if they have an open bag in the back of Carib-Sea crushed coral with aragonite.
I had to stop using my KH Boost for now as it contains dry bacteria additive which can irritate fish with bacteria infection. I will be putting my little pouch back in the filter next time I service it. I maintain a KH around 4 degrees -pH 7.0 up to 7.5 (depends on if I am adding new fish it I take it up 7.5. I test the store pH before I acclimate).
Cheers,
Judy
Low KH can be a real problem for home aquarists. I have no idea how water supplies can have a high pH and low KH (right from the tap)-- but that seems to becoming more of a problem in many areas. The nitrogen cycle needs KH to work. How much, I don't really know, but the cycle fails/stops if lower than 2 degrees. The good bacteria don't die out... just slow down (go dormant? Carl can explain the science here -- I am a storyteller).
One way to increase KH is to add a little pouch of crushed coral rock/aragonite in your filter. Start with a very small amount (Like 1 tablespoon for 75 gallons). If this works, you have the right amount. If the pH rises too much, take a little out.... If the pH drops in a day or two, add a little more.
When I first started to have problems, I called API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc) - and this is the advice I was given. It took me two years before I could get a store to give me just a little. Who wants to buy a whole bag for just one tablespoon?
If your pH is low, stop using phosphate buffers and use Alkaline buffers (you may have to also use Acid buffer). If you can't get Alkaline Buffer, look for Cichlid buffers that do not contain phosphates. I used Cichlid buffers for a couple of years - just to maintain a pH of 7.0 to 7.2. Once the local tap water KH was testing lower than 2 degrees... I went out again looking for some crushed coral rock and was given a small container of it. No matter how hard I tried - I could not get that same store to USE their own crushed coral to keep their KH up (the national company would not allow it!)
I have way more than I need and will send some FREE to anyone who sends me a Private message (providing I don't get hundreds of requests, that is -- so first come first serve). Mine is just crushed coral -- no idea if it has aragonite, too.
Carib-Sea has a product you can buy. I called the company to ask if I needed the new-to-me product. The associate was honest with me and told me to keep doing what I was doing -- but that his crushed coral is better (so look for a store that sells salt water fish and see if they have an open bag in the back of Carib-Sea crushed coral with aragonite.
I had to stop using my KH Boost for now as it contains dry bacteria additive which can irritate fish with bacteria infection. I will be putting my little pouch back in the filter next time I service it. I maintain a KH around 4 degrees -pH 7.0 up to 7.5 (depends on if I am adding new fish it I take it up 7.5. I test the store pH before I acclimate).
Cheers,
Judy
