Hello, two days ago I setup the Hagen Nutrafin CO2 kit. Before I added it to the tank the water stats were a PH of 7.4 and KH of 2 Degrees. Today I checked my water stats and the PH is around 6.8 but the KH has went up to 5 KH degrees. I thought when PH goes down KH does too? I havent added any buffers today but im going to go to the LFS to pick up some crushed coral in case someone on here says to add it. Can someone help me out?
Day 2 Of Hagen CO2 Kit, But I think my water stats are wrong?
- Thread starter Mantis_22
- Start date
Suspect gravel
That happened to me, turns out the gravel had some shell or coral or somehing that dissolved when the pH dropped. Could also be a rock or some decoration in the tank.
Now, with the initial Kh of 2, now 5, you might be fine if you just leave it alone. Keep monitoring the KH, and calc the CO2 levels from a chart.
Aquabotanic CO2 Chart
It might stabilize, or get worse, I don't know. It is not as easy to control the gravel as it is to control coral in the filter.
That happened to me, turns out the gravel had some shell or coral or somehing that dissolved when the pH dropped. Could also be a rock or some decoration in the tank.
Now, with the initial Kh of 2, now 5, you might be fine if you just leave it alone. Keep monitoring the KH, and calc the CO2 levels from a chart.
Aquabotanic CO2 Chart
It might stabilize, or get worse, I don't know. It is not as easy to control the gravel as it is to control coral in the filter.
CO2 will not make the kH go down. The carbonic acid in the CO2 will affect the pH downward. Test your kH again tomorrow. I don't know of any way that the addition of CO2 will increase or decrease kH.
Len
Len
KH up not down
Len, I think you missread the post. The question was why has the KH gone *up*. As the pH goes down any coral or shell in gravel can dissolve, raising the KH.
Same as adding coral to the filter to raise the KH.
Not all aquarium store gravels will tell you if they are reactive.
My experience with this was when I added brown pebbles, regular colored fish store stuff to my flourite gravel in a CO2 supplimented tank. My KH went from 8 to 13.
So, I bought another type of gravel, this time epoxy coated, and in the process of washing it found that it was about 5% shell and the epoxy coating was spotty. I gave up and pulled the pebbles out (by hand, where they were mixed with flourite) and covered it all with 100% Flourite. I later tested the pebbles with vinegar, they didn't visibly foam, but you could hear a small sizzle from them.
Len, I think you missread the post. The question was why has the KH gone *up*. As the pH goes down any coral or shell in gravel can dissolve, raising the KH.
Same as adding coral to the filter to raise the KH.
Not all aquarium store gravels will tell you if they are reactive.
My experience with this was when I added brown pebbles, regular colored fish store stuff to my flourite gravel in a CO2 supplimented tank. My KH went from 8 to 13.
So, I bought another type of gravel, this time epoxy coated, and in the process of washing it found that it was about 5% shell and the epoxy coating was spotty. I gave up and pulled the pebbles out (by hand, where they were mixed with flourite) and covered it all with 100% Flourite. I later tested the pebbles with vinegar, they didn't visibly foam, but you could hear a small sizzle from them.
I, too, have a raise in my KH. My KH used to drop when I was adding CO2. Over the time of about one month, it went from a solid 5.4 KH to below 3 KH. I decided to add a small bit of Crushed Coral to the filter. It ended up raising my KH to just over 6.0. I decided to discontinue the use of the coral. I have been going about 2 months now with no coral or any type of other buffer added. Guess what my KH is now?........7.0+ !!!!! (it's been at least 7.4 at some times)
How in the world does that happen? It is now higher than ever! I have 50/50 Silica sand/ Flourite Red. This aren't supposed to buffer the water at all, as far as I've ever heard or read. Why is it higher now than when I had the Crushed Coral in the filter? I don't even use the same filter now! Does EHFIsubstrate Pro buffer the water? I really would like it to get below 6.0 KH, if possible, but I'm not going to worry about it unless it continues to rise (it has slowly gotten higher). My pH is currently between 6.8 to 6.9 depending on time of day, due to CO2 concentrations. My tap still comes out at a steady 5.4 KH. Even my cichlid tanks with tons of limestone in them only have a 5.4 KH!
........hhmmmmm? Anyone have any ideas why this happens?
How in the world does that happen? It is now higher than ever! I have 50/50 Silica sand/ Flourite Red. This aren't supposed to buffer the water at all, as far as I've ever heard or read. Why is it higher now than when I had the Crushed Coral in the filter? I don't even use the same filter now! Does EHFIsubstrate Pro buffer the water? I really would like it to get below 6.0 KH, if possible, but I'm not going to worry about it unless it continues to rise (it has slowly gotten higher). My pH is currently between 6.8 to 6.9 depending on time of day, due to CO2 concentrations. My tap still comes out at a steady 5.4 KH. Even my cichlid tanks with tons of limestone in them only have a 5.4 KH!
........hhmmmmm? Anyone have any ideas why this happens?
Question
Do you use the Hagen mix? It does have baking soda in it, if youve ever gotten any up the line and into the tank, that might be part of it...although this is quite a stretch, not really likely.
Do you use the Hagen mix? It does have baking soda in it, if youve ever gotten any up the line and into the tank, that might be part of it...although this is quite a stretch, not really likely.
i use the official hagen tablets (activator/stabalizer). not DIY recipe. As for it leaking into the tank.. impossible, i have a check valve and the hose is looped.
I used the Hagen mix packets at first until they were used up, but now I use my own brew.....much better results too. I don't ever see any kind of water or anything going into the tank in mine either.