Flowerhorn tank params

[Ruturaj]

Thank you RD. and Man-made Monsters , I want to take back that my tap water has pH of 7-7.2, that was from tank before adding crushed corals and I assumed that's what my tap water would be. My tap water actually has 7.8-8 pH. I think because of very low KH it's dropping over time.

 

[Ruturaj]

Tank pH has dropped to 7-7.2 in last 2 days since water change.

 

[RD.]

Ok, then all you need is to increase your buffering capacity, in which case crushed coral, crushed oyster shell (my preference) will resolve your issue, and keep your tank stable. Just monitor the coral/shells over time, and replenish as needed. See my comments in following past discussion for more info.

how to go from soft water to hard water?

I'm looking at making the switch to lake malawi cichlids, having a species only tank Saluoi. I'm from scotland and we have soft water i believe, i've test my tap water and this is what i've got, kH - 3 gH- 5 pH 7.2-7.3 For these type of cichlids i know they like a pH around 7.4-8.4. I'm...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[Ruturaj]

Ok, then all you need is to increase your buffering capacity, in which case crushed coral, crushed oyster shell (my preference) will resolve your issue, and keep your tank stable. Just monitor the coral/shells over time, and replenish as needed. See my comments in following past discussion for more info.

how to go from soft water to hard water?

I'm looking at making the switch to lake malawi cichlids, having a species only tank Saluoi. I'm from scotland and we have soft water i believe, i've test my tap water and this is what i've got, kH - 3 gH- 5 pH 7.2-7.3 For these type of cichlids i know they like a pH around 7.4-8.4. I'm...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

Thank you RD. Reason to use crushed coral is I already have more than 5lb left. How do I know when to replace crushed corals? Is it by monitoring KH?

Also is there something like KH shock? Since pH would stay constant on water change, would I still need smaller WC?

 

[RD.]

Replace as it dissolves. Just perform water changes and monitor parameters. pH shock is a myth, the shock comes from osmotic shock caused by a rapid change in TDS, not pH.

 

[Ruturaj]

Replace as it dissolves. Just perform water changes and monitor parameters. pH shock is a myth, the shock comes from osmotic shock caused by a rapid change in TDS, not pH.

Sorry if I didn't put my concern in right words, what I meant was

After adding crushed corals my KH will go up and I think pH would be pretty stable even at water changes. So I am not concerned about pH shock. But should I be concerned about KH fluctuations at water changes and keep WC % low like 25% to keep KH fluctuations low?

 

[RD.]

Just perform water changes and monitor parameters.

 

[Ruturaj]

Thanks I will keep testing and update if there is high fluctuation.I really appreciate your help.

 

[RD.]

You're welcome, good luck!

 

[Ruturaj]

Just perform water changes and monitor parameters.

Water params before WC
KH 3 degree
GH 15-16 degree
pH 7.6

Tap water GH 4 degree, added some replenish to increase GH by 3 degree for 40 gallons

Water params after WC
KH 3 degree
GH 13 degree
pH 7.6

May be I need more crushed coral in filter, I have around 1 cup currently, not changing KH much.