I don't know how the Germans really use it, I don't read German, sorry. But on these boards if someone used dH I would ask what they mean.
Simple quesiton: dH
- Thread starter WinterWind
- Start date
Winterwind,
Listen carefully. dH is a unit (like miles, kilometers, pounds, etc.) kH and GH are levels of various ions. Think of kH and GH as something like (but not the same as) the level of ammonia or nitrate in a tank. You measure the level of kH and GH.
So, you test for kH, which is measured in degrees of hardness (dH).
For instance, your kH test might give the results of 3 degrees of hardness (3 dH).
Get it?
Listen carefully. dH is a unit (like miles, kilometers, pounds, etc.) kH and GH are levels of various ions. Think of kH and GH as something like (but not the same as) the level of ammonia or nitrate in a tank. You measure the level of kH and GH.
So, you test for kH, which is measured in degrees of hardness (dH).
For instance, your kH test might give the results of 3 degrees of hardness (3 dH).
Get it?
mcps95, bravo! I just read this thread, and can't believe you were the first one to use the magic word:
UNIT!!
dH is a unit used to describe your level of kH or your level of gH.
It's funny how simple concepts are sometimes hard to get accross in type.
UNIT!!
dH is a unit used to describe your level of kH or your level of gH.
It's funny how simple concepts are sometimes hard to get accross in type.
mooman said:
Maybe to simplify it just a little bit further…
A dH is a degree of Hardness (dH). 1 degree hardness is the same as 17.8 ppm (parts per million) of hardness.
GH and KH are types of Hardness. GH is General Hardness. KH is Carbonate Hardness. They refer to different minerals in the water.
GH is a measure of the Calcium and magnesium in the water.
KH is a measure of the water's alkalinity, its ability to absorb acids without becoming more acidic itself.
Either type of Hardness can be measured in ppm (which is the same as mg/l) or in degrees of hardness.
If the GH test kit says 100ppm it could also be described as about 5.5 degrees GH.
If the KH test kit says 100ppm it could also be described as about 5.5 dKH.
Cup of water, cup of coffee.
Oh, I get it!
So dH is a unit for measuring kH.
so like for example:
kH=3 dh
is gH also measured in dH?
So dH is a unit for measuring kH.
so like for example:
kH=3 dh
is gH also measured in dH?
RTR said:
Use real units, so long as you specify what you are measuring. Either ppm or mg/l are preferable, but degrees KH or GH is acceptable - but the latter only if you specify which (KH or GH). If you just say dH, nobody will have any idea what you mean.
WinterWind said:
Maybe its the abbreviations.
d=degree
H=hardness
GH=General Hardness
KH=Carbonate (but with a K) Hardness
There are two different types of Hardness that there are hobbyist test kits for and that get talked about. Either type of Hardness can be measured in mg/l (milligrams per liter), in ppm (parts per million) or in degrees of hardness.
Ppm and mg/l are always the same. They're just different ways of describing the same thing. Degrees are a different unit of measure equal to 17.86 of either of the other two. All three are units of measure.
Since there are different types of Hardness, dH (degrees Hardness) means about as much as Cup (unit of measure) of liquid. What kind of liquid? Cup of coffee? Cup of wheatgrass juice?
If you say degree of Hardness (dH) it doesn't describe what type of hardness. It'd be more descriptive to say degree of General Hardness (dGH) or degree of Carbonate Hardness (dKH). The unit of measure can be applied to either type of hardness.
