Increase KH While Keeping PH Neutral ???
- Thread starter Riv D
- Start date
Adding natural buffers will always affect your KH, GH and pH levels accordingly. However, several chemical buffers will use an acid to drop the pH, but have a strong amount of either phosphate or calcium to affect the GH/KH.Bderick67;1841001;1841001 said:
There is one natural way to have your pH come down, while keeping your waters hardness levels up high. This method, however, is not good unless you are in planted aquaria. Carbon dioxide being injected into the water will cause a drop in pH, while the KH values stay constant. When the co2 is let off, the pH will return to its original levels. This method will cause your O2 levels to plummet without the utilization of large amounts of plants. As MlL suggested, leave the water chemistry alone, and just strive for constant levels, by not adjusting your water. A natural buffer like crushed coral will work great if your KH levels are too low.
Riv D;1840082; said:
More likely it is refering general hardness which is the levels of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium in the water. General hardness can have a profound effect on fish, especially wild caught. Very hard for african cichlids or vey low for discus, most aquarium raised fish though have adapted to a broad range of pH.
I would doubt that this is refering to kh which is carbonate hardness or alkalinity. Kh is the waters buffering ability for pH. A low kH equals very unstable water which can lead to large pH swings. A high kH will make for a very stable pH that is hard to adjust. The effects of kH on fish is minimal.
Generally there is a ratio between the pH, kH and gH. The higher one and the other two will follow. Although, as in my case this is not always true.
You have not stated your level of kH, only that you want to get it around 200ppm. Levels above 70ppm are pretty stable and make a pH crash unlikely, so raising your kH to that level is not needed and likely not going to happen without a high pH.
You have not stated what your general hardness is.
Using crushed corral and driftwood can work, although you have no real way to regulate it. Also no way to treat new water during water changes, which will lead to parameter fluctuations within the tank. It is always best if you can match you tank water params to that of you tap and stay away from adjusting the waters chemistry.
The term "KH" is somewhat of a misnomer and is confusing to many people. KH is a direct measurement of alkalinity. Therefore, you can NOT increase KH without changing pH unless you add acid in some way. Adding CO2 is adding acid indirectly. Injection of CO2 is risky business requiring careful monitoring and a heavily planted tank. Adding "stuff" and screwing with your chemistry is a really good way to kill your fish. I would suggest acclimating the fish to your own water conditions.
