I'm sorry, but I haven't had a chance to run a KH test yet, OK, I'm lying, I completely forgot when I got off work. But I willing to bet that it will well over the 3 mark. As for my 10, I run a UGF, so then I will just put some of the gravel in the 29 to set it up. If my KH is too high, will it be bad if I inject the co2 in? I'll write back when I can get a test on it. I will do a fishless cycle, should I put the plants in and then start cycling, or should I cycle for a day or so, and then put the plants in, or start at the same time?
New Guy Planting Questions
- Thread starter NGerdes
- Start date
The kH is the stabilizer for your pH. The higher it is(to a point) the better. It's what will keep your pH from crashing. Try to give me a kH reading if you can. I think it'll be fine but won't know for sure til you test.
Len
Len
I'm sorry, but I won't be able to test it for a while. Probably not for another4 hours or so till I get off work. I will definately test it and get back here though. Thanks for the concern and help.....
Wow, that is really high. My first inclination is to ask you what kind of test kit did you use, and how old is it? If that's your kH you don't have to worry too much about CO2 and your fish.
Did you test it as I suggested? Using 10mls and counting 2 drops as one point?
Len
Did you test it as I suggested? Using 10mls and counting 2 drops as one point?
Len
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sorry to butt in, but...
i tested my kh and it was 10 and my gh was like 20 (i lost count). the test kit i used is tatra test laborett (or something). well anyways, i did them both with 10 ml of water and 2 drops=1 point. is it ok to have a real high gh or not? if not, what should i do?
i tested my kh and it was 10 and my gh was like 20 (i lost count). the test kit i used is tatra test laborett (or something). well anyways, i did them both with 10 ml of water and 2 drops=1 point. is it ok to have a real high gh or not? if not, what should i do?
You should be fine with those KH and GH levels, get your PH down to about 6.7 to 6.8 and you'll be rocking!
Yes, I used the 10ml... My Kit is from Quarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. So how do I get my PH down? I know that a PH of 7.4 is high, but I didn't think that it would be too bad for plants and fish....
So do you think I will still need to use a c02 injection?
So do you think I will still need to use a c02 injection?
The reason that you should lower the pH is so that you will have adequete levels of Carbon Dioxide for your plants. The lowering of your pH can be done through the injection of CO2 whether it be through a pressurized or DIY system.
IMO a pH of 7.1 - 7.2 would be more appropriate than one of 6.7 -6.8 as you want to aim for a C02 concentration of ~20-30ppm.
You can find a table to find you C02 levels based on pH and KH here: http://www.floridadriftwood.com/page.asp?id=16#ph-KH
IMO a pH of 7.1 - 7.2 would be more appropriate than one of 6.7 -6.8 as you want to aim for a C02 concentration of ~20-30ppm.
You can find a table to find you C02 levels based on pH and KH here: http://www.floridadriftwood.com/page.asp?id=16#ph-KH
A pH of 7.2 will give you a little over 22ppm. That should, IMO, be your target pH level at this point. Right now you have a little over 14. IMO, 22ppm is a good starting point for someone new to CO2. You want the plants to do well, but until you find out how your tank is going to re-act to the CO2, you don't want to risk the fish's well being. Let's remember that this is a brand new set up and the parameters will fluctuate some. I'm being conservative, but I'd rather you err on the side of caution than the other way around.
Len
Len
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