KH Levels and UV Sterilizer

[micron929rr]

What should my KH levels be in my planted aquarium? I have a 125 gallon tank and keep the pH at 6.8 KH is currently at 8

What is the ideal level for plant growth so I can combat against algae growth?

Is a UV Sterilizer safe to use in a planted aquarium?

 

[Mgamer20o0]

what ever your tap water is. unless your having problems i wouldnt use one. a few people use uv but most dont. never had to use one.

 

[micron929rr]

i don't use tap water....use RO...what should the KH be for a planted aquarium kept at 6.8 pH??

 

[phanmc]

If you're using RO water bring the kH to around 4-5 to ensure enough calcium and magnesium for your plants.

 

[loaches r cool]

KH is usually raised with baking soda, NaHCO3, which does nothing for Ca or Mg, I think your confusing it with general hardness, GH. For that I'd be using something like RO right I think its called or Tom Barr's GH booster.

 

[micron929rr]

I know what GH is......Im speaking of KH (carbonate hardness).....I higher KH will keep pH trying to rise....the CO2 brings it back down.....

My question is how much is enough...I don't want to add too much CO2 to my tank

 

[Squawkbert]

Get a drop checker. Put 4dKH & a little bromothymol blue in it and forget the tank KH (as long as you supplement your RO w/ GH boost).

A specific change in KH will do little to alter your algae load (AFAIK), too much CO2 (easy to introduce if you're using KH/pH charts) will kill all of your fauna (so use a drop checker adn bring CO2 up gradually over the course of a few days).

 

[micron929rr]

not really worried about the algae load.....just want to make sure i have maximum co2 concentration in my tank without suffocating the fish... what level of co2 should i be shooting for?

 

[Squawkbert]

15-30ppm range is best for plants, below "danger zone" for fish.