A KH Question

B

Bubba

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Oct 10, 2005
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I am a bit confused about something.

One of my tanks was having a problem with growing plants....I believe I know some reasons behind this, namely the algae bloom problem I came across resulted in light not being able to penetrate the water well.

Anyway, while at my LFS I discussed some of the problems I was having and it was suggested that part of my problem was that my Kh was low (my city water has very soft water) and therefore I was getting ph flucuations, so he suggested testing the water and buying a KH buffer to raise the KH. I was a bit confused about this as I regularly checked my ph and it was always right around 7.0. But I decided I would take this advice and try it at home.

So I went home and did some tests on my aquarium water and my KH was basically at zero, or whatever the lowest is (the first time I did the test, the stupid thing didn't even go blue, it went right to yellow). So I added in the KH buffer. I checked my Kh the next day and it was almost the exact same as before (though this time the sample would turn blue first but the first drop or two would result in yellow water). So I was confused...I figured maybe I didn't put enough in. So I tried putting in more (following instructions ofcourse)...and still had little luck.

I kept comming back to the point made to me at the store though that my ph was probably flucating. I never found this, so I was confused. Anyway, I decided to look at the information online regarding my substrate (RED SEA FLORABASE) and it says that it keeps the ph at 6.5-7.0.....so now I am confused. I figure the florabase has a natural buffer in it? And what is up with my Kh...is this something I should still fight to get higher or does it seem that with the substrate and the fact that I have yet to find any of my ph tests with a different ph lead me to a need not to pay attention to my Kh?

Thanks for the Help :D
 
Substrates such as FloraBase "shouldn't" in theory buffer the water. to my knowledge they don't contain carbonates.

One sure way to raise your KH and thusly your PH and do it the right way is this:
Get a filter bag, fill it with crushed coral, and drop it in. then monitor your water params. Note: this isn't gonna bring your KH up overnight but it will get it to a point of stability, and therefore keep the pH stable as well. For more immediate need to raise the KH, some Baking Soda in the water will do the trick as it *IS* a carbonate.

Also, what are the readings out of the tap?
 
Ph is about neutral from the tap and the Kh is almost zero.

As for raising the Kh, I am using Kent Freshwater pH-Stable.

As I mentioned, I am not too concerned about 'raising' the ph...as it is currently at neutral, to slightly low, which for plants, is good (I think right?), so I don't really have an interest in raising the ph.

The real question to all this that I really have is, should I be concerned that my Kh is so low seeing as everytime I test the water I seem to have a fairly stable pH, or is there a misreading with the pH? can you not have a stable ph with a low Kh?

*EDIT* Forgot to mention this as it is important :wacko: the tank has CO2 in it. This was the main reason why the buffer was suggested.
 
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Thought this might help....found this info on Florabase


FloraBase is a patented, scientifically formulated substrate produced from natural volcanic ash-based soil, sintered with other minerals into a soft, porous, granular structure. FloraBase contains all of the nutrients required by plants for proper development, guaranteeing ideal (natural) conditions for lasting plant growth. Its soft, porous,granular structure is easily penetrated by growing roots, positively anchoring plants to the substrate while providing immediate access to all of the nutrients.

The porous structure also allows plant nutrients to be released to the surrounding water so that no additional Root nutrients need to be added for at least 6 months. FloraBase is an excellent filter media when combined with an under-gravel filter. The unique structure of the FloraBase granule enables it to actively absorb floating substances, removing cloudiness from the aquarium water. FloraBase will also act as a pH buffer, maintaining a stable pH between 6.5 and 7.0, which is ideal for almost all aquatic plants.


Soooooo...it is a buffer,therefore Kh is not important in my situation???
 
Fish llike STABLE conditions! Chemical Stabilizers can wreak havok on the water chemistry.

If you're NOT injecting CO2, then I really wouldn't worry too much about the KH levels. The KH really becomes critical if you're gonna do CO2.

The key to healthy fish is STABLE pH, plants are somewhat the same as well. your water will grow some plants really well because of the soft water and have some difficulty with others that may require harder water.

The key is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" it's easier to make soft water hard than hard water soft.
 
those were some of my thoughts as well....everything is stable in the one tank (which was the one I was talking about) however, as I added in after, it was first acquired for the tank with CO2...how does that affect this?

lol I know sorry for not mentioning this previously as it is REALLY important :wacko:
 
OK...

Injected CO2 you will need to raise your KH to at least 3

Baking Soda will bring it up short term but for a long term solution, you'll need to add some carbonate, which is why I posted earlier to get crushed coral in a filter bag and into the tank's filter. this should help with raising the KH and stabilize the tank.

If injecting CO2, DO NOT add chemical Buffers! they are NOT carbonate and can cause inacurate readings causing the tank to crash & fish DIE!
 
not trying to create problems or state that I doubt you cuase your points thus far have proven you do know what you are talking about...but this 'chemical' is carbonic acid (powder form, not liquid)....are you saying this will not work?
 
Bubba,

KH is always important. The KH of your tank is what keeps the pH stable and it is gradually consumed via natural processes in the aquarium. Without it pH will crash (get to 6.0 pH), your bacteria will die, and your tank will begin to recycle.

When your KH is very low, as yours appears to be, it is important to ensure you do large weekly water changes to replenish it. Even that may not be enough (we don't know what yours is out of the tap) and some people, CO2 injection or no, use crushed coral or aragonite in the tank to raise and stablize the KH.

The KH of my tap water is only 1-2 dKH during the winter months and I augment ALL my tanks with coral or aragonite. Anything under 3, IMO, should be raised to stablize things. Certainly do *not* do CO2 injection until you find out what KH you are dealing with.

The problem with using "pH buffers", which is what Florabase seems to have, is that if your KH is not stable to begin with. There is nothing to "hold" the pH at that level. Most products that buffer pH use phosphates to do so, which is why they should be avoided.

Adding BIcarbonates, such as baking soda, is a good short-term solution to the problem, but for long term solution I would go with crushed coral.

We really need to know what your KH is out of the tap.

Roan
 
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Bubba said:
Ph is about neutral from the tap and the Kh is almost zero.
Click to expand...


Roan, he did post it...that was one of the first things I asked him.



bubba,

Definately do the crushed coral or arogonite in the filter to bring the KH up and keep the system stable.
 
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