rjsomers Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 I want to know what I need to do to increas the KH in my tanks. It is too low for optimal pH stabilization and all other parameters in the tanks are stable - including pH. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 http://www.dataguru.org/misc/aquarium/calKH.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharuq1 Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 That method works even better if you use baked baking soda. Just throw it in the oven scattered over a cookie sheet at 400F for an hour. This drives of the excess water and CO2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roypark05 Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 One solution that can be a very stable and permanent fix, but requires some time, is adding pieces of marble in amongst your gravel. The marble slowly adds calcium/carbonate hardness from gradual dissolving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjsomers Posted August 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 I think this is why i used crushed oyster shells or Coral in my previous years. Does that make sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Yep, adding shells will help buffer your water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roypark05 Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 (edited) Yeah same thing as the marble. Both dissolve as CaCO3 (calcium carbonate, the basis of KH) Edited August 20, 2009 by roypark05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 (edited) Do you want to increase general hardness, or just the KH [carbonate (CO32-) or bicarbonate (HCO3-) ions]? The carbonate in CaCO3 increases KH, but the calcium also increases the general hardness. Baking soda (NaHCO3) will increase KH only. Edited August 20, 2009 by werner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjsomers Posted August 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 I am only looking ot increase my KH. GH is looking good. Any fish that are more senstive to using baking soda? My list is in my signature. Thank-you everyone for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Hagen makes a product called Nutrafin PH Stabilizer this will raise kh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 I don't think you'll be adding enough baking soda to make a difference for the fish. Just don't add it dry or they'll try to eat it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewels Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Do we factor by 17.9 to find ppm? Even 4 X 17.9 would get you only 68 ppm kh. Is this typical of Calgary water? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parachromis1 Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Only one product I would add. Kalkwasser solution. It's lab grade as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Kalkwasser is actually a CaCO3 product, so it's similar to adding shells/dolomite/coral. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Do we factor by 17.9 to find ppm? Even 4 X 17.9 would get you only 68 ppm kh. Is this typical of Calgary water? Nope, not typical. The Calgary Water Quality Report lists the carbonate hardness as anywhere from 140-259mg/L. There's plenty of buffering capacity right out of the tap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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