it can be equal. Depends on your water source. My KH is 1 and my GH3 my plants grow out of hand.
KH and GH tests concerning
- Thread starter knashash
- Start date
kH, gH and TDS measure different things.
If I understand correctly, and please correct me if I am wrong, as I am just learning this water chemistry stuff myself:
kH = carbonate hardness
gH = general hardness, but really a misnomer, as it really is a measure of calcium and magnesium, not everything in the water
TDS = total dissolved solids
They are all different things, but somewhat related. For example, adding calcium carbonate will increase kH. gH and TDS. Adding sodium bicarbonate will increase kH and TDS, but not gH.
My tap water is 9 degrees (161ppm) kH, 13 degrees or 232 ppm gH and 380-400 ppm TDS, pretty hard on all counts. Ph 7.8 or so. I am also getting 1ppm phosphates out of the tap, but thankfully no nitrates at least.
If I understand correctly, and please correct me if I am wrong, as I am just learning this water chemistry stuff myself:
kH = carbonate hardness
gH = general hardness, but really a misnomer, as it really is a measure of calcium and magnesium, not everything in the water
TDS = total dissolved solids
They are all different things, but somewhat related. For example, adding calcium carbonate will increase kH. gH and TDS. Adding sodium bicarbonate will increase kH and TDS, but not gH.
My tap water is 9 degrees (161ppm) kH, 13 degrees or 232 ppm gH and 380-400 ppm TDS, pretty hard on all counts. Ph 7.8 or so. I am also getting 1ppm phosphates out of the tap, but thankfully no nitrates at least.
I do have one question.
When I dilute my tap water with R/O, I seem to lose more kH on a pro rata basis than the other readings.
My R/O unit cuts my TDS to about 20-30 ppm TDS.
After going to about 2/3 tap, 1/3 RO, my numbers are 9 degrees gH, 250 TDS, but my kH is down to 2 degrees.
Do you "lose" kH from pH buffering?
When I dilute my tap water with R/O, I seem to lose more kH on a pro rata basis than the other readings.
My R/O unit cuts my TDS to about 20-30 ppm TDS.
After going to about 2/3 tap, 1/3 RO, my numbers are 9 degrees gH, 250 TDS, but my kH is down to 2 degrees.
Do you "lose" kH from pH buffering?
Yes..and GH no need to use it! You have perfect conditions.... soft water kh of 2 and a substantial GH...so there...use your lights, use your CO2, dose EI method for low tech tanks....that is the same as EI for high but cut somewhat...
here is something to use as a rough reference:
leave your pH alone..ok?
For Hightlight, 3wpg or more, C02 enriched tank's that are moderatly to heavy planted.
If you have to suppliment with Flourish Excel Increase C02-Let it run 24/7, give yourself some aeration after light's out, to much C02 is okay, it's the lack of 02 that is deadly, that happens when to much C02 is being pumped into the tank after lights off and it removes 02, so a simple lift of the spray bar or lily pipe to the surface will remedy that.
Personally, I have found that using a glass diffusor is much more efficient than reactor's, therefore eliminating the need for excel.
Dosing Dry, Use measuring spoon's found at most department store's in the utensile section, scoop appropriate amount and toss in the tank, simple as that!
I use to keep an old travel mug under the tank, and keep fert's in large spice bottles, scoop appropriate amount into cup, dip in tank, stir and serve.
Tsp=Teaspoon
"Rule of Thumb"
Tank's (1)
20~40gal
50%H20 change-weekly
+/-1/4Tsp-KN03 3x a week
+/-1/16+Tsp-KH2P04 3x aweek
+/-1/16+Tsp K2S04 3x a week
+/-5ml Trace 3x a week
+/-1-2ml Fe/Iron 3x a week
"If dosing a 10gal highlight C02 enriched tank, divide above regime x2"
Tank's (2)
40~60gal
50%H20 change-weekly
+/-1/2Tsp KN03 3x a week
+/-1/8Tsp KH2P04 3x a week
+/-1/8Tsp K2S04 3x a week
+/-10ml Trace 3x a week
+/-2-4ml Fe/Iron 3x a week
Tank's (3)
For a 60~80gal
50%H20 change-weekly
+/-3/4Tsp KN03 3x a week
+/-3/16Tsp KH2P04 3x a week
+/-1/4Tsp K2S04 3x a week
+/-15ml Trace 3x a week
+/-4-8ml Fe/Iron 3x a week
Etcetera.
Do the math for other tank sizes, Ex: if you have a 125gal use Tank's (3) x2 +/-
Note: Iron/Fe is a luxury, not a necessity, you will have enough Iron/Fe in your trace mix to satisfy the need's required, if the tank in question is new, immature, don't dose extra Iron/Fe, wait until the tank is balanced and mature, Then dose Fe as above
Algae Issue's?
Increase C02, even if you have to use Flourish Excel, and decrease the light a bit, raise it up off the tank, burn it less hour's etc.
Pick, clean, prune, preen, all plant's, manually remove as much algae as you can, good condition's will slow it's growth, at most, stop the growth.
you will need to remove the remaining algae by hand...Manually!!..Vacuum, PaperTowels for inside glass when water is drained.
Make sure you're C02 is at optimal condition's.
Fish gasping? 02 Issue's?
Increase surface movement for night time/lights out, decrease for opposite, if having 02 issue's a little surface movement is good, to much is not good.
Trace Element and Iron, either Retail Premixed, such as Flourish, TMG, etc or Plantex CSM,CSM+B,CSM+B w/Extra Iron & Fe/Iron Chelate 10%- mix 1Tbsp per 250ml/ one capful=5ml
Aquarium Plants, Aquatic Plants, Planted Aquariums, and Aquarium Plant Fertilizer has all of these...Usually!
If you choose to dose Plantex dry here is a formula.. Another conversion. In a 1 tablespoon to 250ml, 20 ml = 1/4 teaspoon of fert. (there are 12 - 1/4 teaspoons disolved. 250ml/12=20.83ml
Thanks Craig
here is something to use as a rough reference:
leave your pH alone..ok?
For Hightlight, 3wpg or more, C02 enriched tank's that are moderatly to heavy planted.
If you have to suppliment with Flourish Excel Increase C02-Let it run 24/7, give yourself some aeration after light's out, to much C02 is okay, it's the lack of 02 that is deadly, that happens when to much C02 is being pumped into the tank after lights off and it removes 02, so a simple lift of the spray bar or lily pipe to the surface will remedy that.
Personally, I have found that using a glass diffusor is much more efficient than reactor's, therefore eliminating the need for excel.
Dosing Dry, Use measuring spoon's found at most department store's in the utensile section, scoop appropriate amount and toss in the tank, simple as that!
I use to keep an old travel mug under the tank, and keep fert's in large spice bottles, scoop appropriate amount into cup, dip in tank, stir and serve.
Tsp=Teaspoon
"Rule of Thumb"
Tank's (1)
20~40gal
50%H20 change-weekly
+/-1/4Tsp-KN03 3x a week
+/-1/16+Tsp-KH2P04 3x aweek
+/-1/16+Tsp K2S04 3x a week
+/-5ml Trace 3x a week
+/-1-2ml Fe/Iron 3x a week
"If dosing a 10gal highlight C02 enriched tank, divide above regime x2"
Tank's (2)
40~60gal
50%H20 change-weekly
+/-1/2Tsp KN03 3x a week
+/-1/8Tsp KH2P04 3x a week
+/-1/8Tsp K2S04 3x a week
+/-10ml Trace 3x a week
+/-2-4ml Fe/Iron 3x a week
Tank's (3)
For a 60~80gal
50%H20 change-weekly
+/-3/4Tsp KN03 3x a week
+/-3/16Tsp KH2P04 3x a week
+/-1/4Tsp K2S04 3x a week
+/-15ml Trace 3x a week
+/-4-8ml Fe/Iron 3x a week
Etcetera.
Do the math for other tank sizes, Ex: if you have a 125gal use Tank's (3) x2 +/-
Note: Iron/Fe is a luxury, not a necessity, you will have enough Iron/Fe in your trace mix to satisfy the need's required, if the tank in question is new, immature, don't dose extra Iron/Fe, wait until the tank is balanced and mature, Then dose Fe as above
Algae Issue's?
Increase C02, even if you have to use Flourish Excel, and decrease the light a bit, raise it up off the tank, burn it less hour's etc.
Pick, clean, prune, preen, all plant's, manually remove as much algae as you can, good condition's will slow it's growth, at most, stop the growth.
you will need to remove the remaining algae by hand...Manually!!..Vacuum, PaperTowels for inside glass when water is drained.
Make sure you're C02 is at optimal condition's.
Fish gasping? 02 Issue's?
Increase surface movement for night time/lights out, decrease for opposite, if having 02 issue's a little surface movement is good, to much is not good.
Trace Element and Iron, either Retail Premixed, such as Flourish, TMG, etc or Plantex CSM,CSM+B,CSM+B w/Extra Iron & Fe/Iron Chelate 10%- mix 1Tbsp per 250ml/ one capful=5ml
Aquarium Plants, Aquatic Plants, Planted Aquariums, and Aquarium Plant Fertilizer has all of these...Usually!
If you choose to dose Plantex dry here is a formula.. Another conversion. In a 1 tablespoon to 250ml, 20 ml = 1/4 teaspoon of fert. (there are 12 - 1/4 teaspoons disolved. 250ml/12=20.83ml
Thanks Craig
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