im having trouble reading kh result

N

_newbie_

AC Members
Jul 26, 2006
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New Zealand
i have a table that uses kh and ph to estimate co2.

i just bought a JBL KH Test Set. step 4 of the instructions reads: one drop of reagent solution used corresponds to 1 degree carbonate hardess (German scale).

it took 3 drops to change color. does this mean the kh is 3? may seem like a really stupid question, but if you dont know....

please help.
 
thanks for the simple answer. feeling a little sheepish but better safe than sorry. does the following seem ok?

planted coldwater 14g
fishless
NO2 0 ppm
NO3 0 ppm
NH3 0.5 ppm
ph 6 (lowest reading possible with kit)
kh 3
CO2 87 ppm (est)
DIY jello CO2 injection ( :p: blackcurrent :p: )
light 2-3wpg (depends how what kind of g)
 
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are you planning on keeping it fishless, or do you want to add fish? If you don't have animal life in there, you definitely have a lot more leeway to play with CO2, fertilizers, etc. A KH of 3 degrees should be just fine :) If your carbonate hardness were less than 3, then you would experience large pH swings because the carbonate is a natural buffer to resist the acidity from added CO2.

Is your pH 6.0 before CO2, or after? If it's that low BEFORE the addition of carbon dioxide, then you might be in trouble. If that's the reading after, I think it's OK.
 
Fish?

Do you plan to stock it with fish? CO2 @87ppm is unsafe for them. Target for a fish tank is 20-ish ppm CO2 or a bit higher I believe. Maybe one of the CO2/plant experts will chime in here
 
ph before CO2 is 7.0

i was thinking of leavivng it fishless for the moment while i experiment with plants, hardscape, CO2, kh, ferts, lightning, etc.

maybe the CO2 isnt 87ppm the chart just said kh 3 x ph 6.0 = CO2 87
 
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