KH confirmation (Ok, I know, not that catchy as a thread title)

[Fishsmurf]

Please can I get some more experienced advice on the these readings:

Readings from my 55g:

pH = 7.5
Gh = 80ppm or 4 degrees
Kh = 50ppm or 2.7 degrees (degrees = ppm divided by 17.9 right?)

For my discus I am happy with the pH & GH but do I need to be worried about the KH, if my readings are right this seems a little low. I was led to believe that 3 degrees plus was stable enough to hold a constant pH. So a two part question:

1) To those with more experience to these reading look plausible?

2) Do I need to increase the KH?

Thanks in advance for any assistance /advice.....

[scott]

Those are pretty much identical to my water parameters. I keep about three quarters of a cup of aragonite in a stocking in my filter and everything stays pretty steady. I test weekly to be sure but I haven't had any problems.

My KH before adding the aragonite was one degree now it is about two to three (my kit does not get as specific as yours aparently, I have to judge between two very similar shades of blue:rolleyes: )

[wetmanNY]

(double post. sorry)

[wetmanNY]

No, it doesn't seem low, to me. You only want the minimum that keeps your pH stable, and for Discus some tannins and low pH are ideal. I thought Surrey was chalkier that that. (North Surrey, eh? You're on that acidic London clay!) Lucky you, at any rate, to have such low dissolved solids, if it's Discus you're doing.

BTW, those "catchy" titles-- "What about me?" or "Do I need help?"-- get tired after a while. Can 'em: give me information!

[Fishsmurf]

Thanks for the quick responses. :D

One of those peace of mind things, I'll leave things well alone in that case. You say a minimum to keep pH stable, what in your opinion would be that minimum? Just curious on this one now....

Wetman, just west of London, but yep plenty of clay, great for Discus & plants but not so great if you want to build a house with walls that will stay at the same level for any period of time. :p

As for the thread title, you know how it is, so many threads, only so many pairs of eyes, so you have got to find that "hook" line..... :D

Thanks again....

[RTR]

Assuming that you are doing routine and sizeable water changes, and are not overstocked, I see no issue with your KH. The danger in marginal KH arises from lack of testing coupled with high bioload and insufficient water changes. Normal nitrification reduces KH.

If you were doing a planted tank with CO2 supplement, I'd want to be between 3 and 4 degrees.

Period monitoring of the KH is not tedious or expensive.

[Fishsmurf]

Bi-weekly water changes, 30% change each time. Na, pH, GH, KH tests all done at the same time...... Only very, very lightly planted with three small discus, a couple of clowns (waiting for a new house) and 6 otto's. Seems to fit with what you advised RTR.

Again thanks for your time......:D