What is kh
- Thread starter isaac newton
- Start date
Hardness in our tanks is measured as GH and as KH. GH (General Hardness) is the amounts of calcium and magnesium in the water and its what many non-fish people mean when they talk about water being hard or soft. Its meaningful to some degree in aquariums but KH or carbonate hardness (the German Karbon is used by convention) is what fish people are more concerned with.
KH is a measure of the alkalinity of the water, or of its buffering capacity. It influences the pH of the water. If it gets too low your at risk for pH crashes. As it gets higher the pH goes with it. Acids from normal tank chemistry will deplete it over time (bioacidification) so water changes help replenish it. Below about 3 degrees is considered low.
Rocks and other decorations as well as substrate can all impact KH and therefore pH. Limestone, seashells, corals, certain types of gravel, etc. can all add to your KH and need to be used with care.
HTH
KH is a measure of the alkalinity of the water, or of its buffering capacity. It influences the pH of the water. If it gets too low your at risk for pH crashes. As it gets higher the pH goes with it. Acids from normal tank chemistry will deplete it over time (bioacidification) so water changes help replenish it. Below about 3 degrees is considered low.
Rocks and other decorations as well as substrate can all impact KH and therefore pH. Limestone, seashells, corals, certain types of gravel, etc. can all add to your KH and need to be used with care.
HTH