somnio Posted July 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 I'm pretty sure there was a reason we unhooked it... I think it had to do that it only filtered a small amount of water over a long period of time... Now that would work maybe for my 15 gal but reality is I don't have enough room/containers for my 50 gal to warrent setting it up... Why could I not add the KH booster? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurensdad Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 your kh is high you need a lower kh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 If you're using RO, I'd reconstitute it with your tap water. Start w 50/50 and see what you get. If you just want to reconstitute your tap water, you'll need a strong acid like HCl. The stuff sold at the LFS just won't cut it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somnio Posted July 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 Laurensdad I get that I have to lower the KH how do I do that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurensdad Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 do your water changes and your kh will go closer to your tap water your KH is high From your ph down you were using. witch ph down were you using brand name etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 Using a strong acid like HCl will lower your KH and your pH. It's the easiest method... or you can try what laurensdad is suggesting, but I suspect your water has a high KH from the tap, so doing water changes won't really help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somnio Posted July 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 Jvision I'm a little confused I though KH is how the water buffers acids? And if that is the case how does adding acid going to change the KH I can see how that would lower the PH... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 Yes, KH is how water buffers against acid/base; but adding a strong acid weakens or uses up the KH. Weak acids can have the opposite affect bc of what the acid is combined with to keep it stable. I work with water chemistry every day and have seen what works and what doesnt... HCl is the easiest way to reconstitute your well water. If you can't find it in decent supply, then your next bet is to mix tap w RO. If it were me, I'd be using RO since you already have the unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somnio Posted July 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 I get that u are very experienced with water chemistry..if I like to understand something fully before doing something to my tanks... Like I said earlier the RO machine is not hooked up and it only produces small amounts of water over a long period of time so it isn't a option for my 50 gal tank I will look for some HCL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 Try pool supply stores - or even the pool section of Canadian Tire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somnio Posted July 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2011 I could not find any HCL.. Will the pool pH down work with sodium bicarbonate work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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