High KH low PH

[Ravnheart]

I have been having a issue with my PH and KH. I notice my fish start loosing color and I check it and my PH is very low (about 6.8) and KH is extremely high. I had just done a small water change lastnight.

My water is naturally low PH so I have been adding baking soda to raise it. Will adding crushed coral help with this? Also what else will help keep this stable?

I have also been having an issue with high KH as well. Will adding airstones and more surface agitation help with this?

[Heyguy74]

Baking soda will incresa both Phand Kh. I would not worry about the Kh and worry about the Ph. What is the PH Kh and Gh of your tap water or water source. Any idea what the Gh is in the tank?

[Ravnheart]

The GH was reading fine in the tank. I thought the baking soda was raising the KH as well. Thats why I was wanting to find something to add to the tank to keep it stable.
I will get a reading from the tap tomorrow and get all the numbers.

[TOMMYN3D]

I keep mesh media bags filled with crushed coral in all my Aqua Clear filters and in my canisters.My Ph comes out at 8-8.4 so im very lucky not to have to add anything to raise it.

I never check my GH.

[Longstocking]

A high kh will keep your ph stable.

How high is your kh? over 20?

If under 20.... go ahead and add baking soda until your ph is high enough.

Just make sure your kh doesn't go too high.... I have found that your fish will be less colorful if your kh is too high.

Your tank should be stable if your kh is high.

What is your tap readings after 24 hours.

[triscuit]

I would like to see numbers for GH, KH and pH for your tap water, your tap water after 24 hours of aeration, and your tank water. There's something fishy about your carbonate-bicarbonate-carbonic acid speciation that's monkeying with your KH test results... :coz:

[Ravnheart]

OK got the tap water readings:
PH 6.4
HK 3
GH 0
I will check it after 24 hours. One thing I did notice is we don't have much chlorine in our water. We have amazing water here due to all the fresh water lakes we have.

HK was 18 so I was able to add more baking soda.

[TwoTankAmin]

Hardening Your Water (Raising GH and/or KH)

The following measurements are approximate; use a test kit to verify you've achieved the intended results. Note that if your water is extremely soft to begin with (1 degree KH or less), you may get a drastic change in pH as the buffer is added.

To raise both GH and KH simultaneously, add calcium carbonate (CaCO3). 1/2 teaspoon per 100 liters of water will increase both the KH and GH by about 1-2 dH. Alternatively, add some sea shells, coral, limestone, marble chips, etc. to your filter.



To raise the KH without raising the GH, add sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), commonly known as baking soda. 1/2 teaspoon per 100 Liters raises the KH by about 1 dH. Sodium bicarbonate drives the pH towards an equilibrium value of 8.2.

From http://fins.actwin.com/mirror/begin-chem.html#altering

[Ravnheart]

What about coral sand?

[triscuit]

Buffering substrates, including crushed coral, do not dissolve fast enough in circumneutral pH water to properly buffer for your fish. Your water would need to be about pH 4 and hot, and still the equilibrium pH (the point where no more CaCO3 would dissolve) would be less than what you are shooting for.

Most folks see the initial bump in hardness from the dust in these substrates, but that is short lived. The dissolution rate necessary to maintain proper pH, KH and GH is not possible under conditions which support the health of your fish.


So- stick with the baking soda, Epsom salt for GH. I think Raven needs to add quite a bit more to correct the tap water.

[Ravnheart]

well something must be right in my tank now. My Sciaenochromis fryeri Iceberg is holding!!! :)