should i keep my KH up to 3 when using co2

[wickerman]

HELLO
i had a kh of 3 before adding co2.
im now addin co2 usin the hagen system and my ph is dropping and also so is my kh a little its now 2.5
should i re buffer it back to 3 and if i do this,isnt it like then putting the ph higher and taking the co2 out agin?
at the moment my ph is 6.6 with a kh of 2.5.

So if i add bakin soda to up the kh to 3..my ph will go up and id get less co2???

my brain is starting to hurt

thanks for any help

 

[Hannys_Papa]

No you dont take out CO2 by raising kH. The CO2 content stays the same but the pH will rise slightly.

 

[djlen]

Some plants 'use' kH so it will lower under certain circumstances.
You really need to buffer it up with argonite or crushed coral for a more permanent buffer. Baking soda will only hold it for a very short period of time.
Check for the argonite or coral at your LFS. The former is better but the latter is more commonly found in stores.
How much to use depends on the volume of water your tank contains, but a tablespoon of either in a nylon filter bag will raise your kH slowly and hold it better than baking soda. You will need to continue using the baking soda until the crushed coral/argonite starts to raise the kH.
Injecting CO2 in a tank without a kH of at least 3°kH can be very dangerous.

Len

 

[Roan Art]

I echo what Len says. Use baking soda temporarily and crushed coral/aragonite to "permanently" hold it.

Mine is 2dKH out of the tap. Scary stuff!

Roan