Alkaline

[amerpatrt]

I have a problem- my water used to be high in alkaline. For some reason, now it's not, and my chichlid doesn't like it. I can go to the LFS and buy the Alk increaser on Monday, but until then, can I add baking soda? Don't yell at me for considering that, I'm not dumping any in at the moment, and i won't unless
you guys tell me how. I just hate to see such low KH in the chichlid's tank.
If i can use baking soda, to raise it, how much per gallon do i use?
TIA,

 

[carpguy]

I'd skip the Alk Increaser and use crushed coral in a mesh filter bag, or switch to a substrate like aragonite that'll naturally keep your KH higher. You may want whatever target level, but at the same time you also want stability.

Baking Soda will work, but be careful about using it. You don't want to change something like that too quickly. Baking Soda is an instant fix sort of solution and you'd really be better off with something that dissolves a little more slowly and gives your fish a chance to get used to the change (adjust their body chemistry to the new enviroment).

How low is your KH and pH? GH?

 

[Karnaaj]

When you say that your water was hard and now it isn't do you mean your tap water or the water in your tank?