Low KH

[tracyb]

Sorry if this is in the wrong section. Just did a test on my 180 and 90 tanks.

180 / 90

Nitrate - 20ppm / 10ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm / 0ppm
Ammonia - 0ppm / 0ppm
PH - 6.8 / 6.8
GH - >10 / >6
KH - 0 / 0

I found that my PH was going down and think this was mainly due to the addition of bogwood. I added crushed shells to the tank which was has helped to keep the PH at a stable 6.8 - 7. BUT i can't understand why my KH results are still 0. I thought the crushed shells would affect this. I'm still worried that if i don't sort out the KH i could have a big PH fluctuation killing my fish.

I think i must have the softest water in the uk. Here are my tap water stats

Ammonia - 0
nitrites - 0
Nitrates -0
PH - 7.2 - 7.6
GH - <3
KH - 0

It seems to be working and i seem to have the PH under control with large weekly water changes and not letting the nitrates creep up.

What can i do to get the KH value up without adding too many nasty additives.

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

Your water is really soft, and your fears are quite reasonable. Coral only works long-term, it is of no use to compensate for water changes. You need to either use water cured over limestone (e.g. in a barrel in your basement) or add kH plus. I believe Sera is represented in the UK. They are a highly respectable company, and I recommend their products.

HarleyK

 

[RadleyMiller]

I would add Neutral Regulator or Perfect pH 7.0 if you can get that.

 

[tracyb]

Thank you

I do 75% water changes weekly so i'm probably removing the affects of the crushed shells anyway.

No room for the limestone method at the moment i'm afraid but i hopefuly will be able to do this when i get my new house.

I did not like the proper PH 7 as i was finding that it was just as unstable as not putting it in.

I will see if i can find some KH plus for putting in while doing water changes.

Thanks