DKH?

[vteel]

What is DKH?

I've just started converting my Saltwater tank to a 'Reef.' I know I need to check my salinity, PH, Nitrite, Nitrate, Ammonia, and Calcium. What else?

Thanks!!

VTEEL

 

[Reefscape]

dKH - Carbonate hardness...It a measure of how much carb or bicarb ions are in the water, the higher the content, the harder the water is. This is not to be confused with dDH, which is the measur of calc or mag..

 

[Slappy*McFish]

dKH (alkalinity) goes hand in hand with calcium levels. Both need to be within acceptable ranges and an excess of one will effect the other. Most people aim for a dKH of around 8-10.

Here are some articles that explain it in much greater detail.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-04/rhf/feature/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/rhf/index.php

 

[Amphiprion]

It means degrees Karbonat Haerte (degrees of carbonate hardness, translated from Deutsche). It is merely a unit used to describe the concentration of carbonate (and bicarbonate--total carbonate) hardness in the water. While alkalinity is a different measure (I think that article describes that, but I don't remember), it doesn't really matter, since carbonate makes up the VAST majority of alkalinity ions in seawater. Therefore, using it works just as well (one reason, however, to avoid high borate salts, like seachem). True alkalinity (or acid neutralizing capacity) is measured in meq/L, but most kits that measure in milliequavalents per liter still measure carbonate alkalinity.

In a nutshell, it is the water's capacity to resist changes in pH, whether up or down. Seawater is actually able to best resist upward pH changes, though it also resists downward ones, as well. This parameter is important not only for pH stability, but for organisms that utilize these ions, along with mainly calcium to construct shells and skeletons.

 

[ooja3k]

Those two articles above are great references!! I have used many of Randy's articles to further my "reef education".

In fact, all of his articles are great!