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View Full Version : Confused about KH/PH/CO2


Nitro
08-02-2006, 5:25 PM
Ok, so I have a 20 gallon planted aquarium with a yeast and sugar style CO2 bottle and ladder.

My PH is about 6.7
My KH is about 2-degrees

I looked at the chart that calculates my diffused CO2 and the chart says this is slightly low for plants.

My confusion lies with the KH. Does having a low KH mean that my CO2 injection is essentually useless as I cannot disolve anymore CO2 into my water?

Is there a way to raise KH without raising PH (as my cardinal tetras prefer between 6.4 and 6.8 according to some articles I read).

Also, everybody talks about nitrates in parts per million but my tests are in mg/l or something like that. My nitrate tests come out to 12.5... what is that in ppm?

edit: if you're wondering I have a 65watt compact flourescent 6700k over the tank.