Help! pH and KH too high

[TwoTankAmin]

1. Fish have no requirements as far as KH is concerned. KH relates to the ability to change pH and/or hold it stable.

2. It is a very slippery slope trying to use peat to change one's pH. Unless one pretreats new water the likely result are pH swings from every water change. This is the exact opposite of what fish need in terms of stable parameters.

3. GH and TDS are far more important issues for fish.

To have some idea about water chemistry and messing with it you folks really need to read the following:
(The links below work.)

Practical Freshwater Chemistry

• The Big Components:
  (pH, Buffering Capacity, General Hardness, Salinity, Nutrients and Trace Elements)
• Altering Your Tank Water's Chemistry
  (Hardening, Softening, Changing pH)

 

[ksane]

Yep, like everyone else said-that's not your problem and I wouldn't touch it. I keep Discus, Angels and everything else in water harder than yours. If you absolutely insist on softening it the best way is to mix RO water with your tap water (usually around 50/50). It's not worth it and you don't need to though.

 

[Skate3002]

1. Fish have no requirements as far as KH is concerned. KH relates to the ability to change pH and/or hold it stable.

2. It is a very slippery slope trying to use peat to change one's pH. Unless one pretreats new water the likely result are pH swings from every water change. This is the exact opposite of what fish need in terms of stable parameters.

3. GH and TDS are far more important issues for fish.

To have some idea about water chemistry and messing with it you folks really need to read the following:
(The links below work.)

thanks alot, those links were really informative

 

[KarlTh]

I use peat filtration and yes, the pH will swing on water changes. In my experience, the fish don't mind.

 

[jpappy789]

I agree with ksane, the best way to lower levels (if you absolutely have to) is to mix with RO. No sense in using chemicals, but peat would be another viable option depending on whats available in your area.

 

[FishInMaryland]

My story is exactly the same - months on end with no problems, and then sudden deaths. My numbers are exactly like yours too, high Kh and pH, zero nitrates and ammonia, and nitrates < 20. I've had a number of thoughts, though, on what some of what I orginally thought were random deaths. One time, I had the sole occupants, 2 2-year old angels die after a water change, I later thought that perhaps I had filled the tank up too high, and there wasn't enough oxygen. Then, I had a bunch of platy deaths after a hot weekend, when we didn't have the AC on. The water temp went to about 84-86 F. Then, just this week, one of my heaters malfunctioned, and the water temp went over 100 and I lost a platy and a molly. I haven't had any thoughts, as to what contributed to the other molly death a couple of months ago, or the 2 cory deaths, after having them all for a number of months.

I'm tempted at this point to move the remaining fish, 4 neons, to a 10 gal temporary tank, and replace the gravel in the 55 gal tank, although I clean the gravel every 2 weeks along with my 30% WC, and all of my numbers are fine before and after the WCs. I can't think of what else the problem might be, since the fish that die show no signs of any illness, other than a lethargy for 3 days or so prior to their death.

55 gal tank
1 Aquaclear 330 HOB
No live plants
Max at any time was 13 little fish, stocked over a period of months, 4 fish at a time, with several months in between additions