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Thread: KH too low, need help

  1. #1
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    KH too low, need help

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    My KH is only 1 degree. How to increase to 4 to 6? I tried sodium bicarbonate before but dun really work.
    Do coral help to increase/maintain KH?

    Tank size - 100G (400l)

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    How much did u put for Baking Soda?
    Cheerio,
    Sleepy_lancs
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
    An afternoon trimming my watery garden is better
    then an afternoon with a therapist
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    4 or 6 tea spoon.

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    That should be bring it up to at least 3 KH. Are u testing it with a proper test kit (not expired). Use 10ml instead of the 5ml of water as recommended.
    Cheerio,
    Sleepy_lancs
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
    An afternoon trimming my watery garden is better
    then an afternoon with a therapist
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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    There is no expired date on the box. Got it sometime back from Aquatechic.
    Don't think it is expired cos tried test with 1 tea spoon in small amount of water and the KH reading show high. Will check again.

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    1 tsp per 100L give your about 2 degree KH.
    To get an additional of 4 degree KH (from 1 degree KH) for your 400L tank you need 2 x 4 = 8 tsp.

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    Quote Originally Posted by b_goh88
    My KH is only 1 degree. How to increase to 4 to 6? I tried sodium bicarbonate before but dun really work.
    Do coral help to increase/maintain KH?

    Tank size - 100G (400l)

    Yes, coral chip in canister filter will do a good job in raising KH but you have to watch out at the initial stage to ensure the level is not too high.

    Alternatively, try Seachem Equilibrium. It raises both KH & GH and other minerals.
    Maurice Cheong
    A . M o m e n t . o f . T r a n q u i l i t y...

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    Quote Originally Posted by zenscape
    Alternatively, try Seachem Equilibrium. It raises both KH & GH and other minerals.
    Seachem Equilibrium does not raise KH.

    Regards
    Peter Gwee
    Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger

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    Quote Originally Posted by b_goh88
    My KH is only 1 degree. How to increase to 4 to 6? I tried sodium bicarbonate before but dun really work.
    Do coral help to increase/maintain KH?

    Tank size - 100G (400l)
    A KH of 1 is fine as long as you provide enough CO2 for the plants so that they do not go for the bicarbonate as an alternative source of carbon.

    Regards
    Peter Gwee
    Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger

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    Quote Originally Posted by PeterGwee
    Seachem Equilibrium does not raise KH.

    Regards
    Peter Gwee
    Thanks Peter for pointing it out. All the while i had the impression it raises both GH & KH as the write-out mentioned KH so many times. On closing reading, they suggested Alkaline Buffer for maintaining KH.

    Below is from SEACHEM EQUILIBRIUM:-

    Equilibrium™ is specifically designed to establish the ideal mineral content for the planted aquarium. Equilibrium™ contains no sodium or chloride (which can be detrimental to a planted aquarium at elevated levels). Equilibrium™ is ideally suited for use with RO (reverse osmosis) or DI (deionized) water or any mineral deficient water. Equilibrium™ raises the essential mineral/electrolyte content (General Hardness) of the water to balance with and promote stability of the carbonate hardness. To maintain KH, we recommend Alkaline Buffer™.

    Sizes: 300 g, 600 g, 4.8 kg, 20 kg


    DIRECTIONS: To raise mineral content/general hardness (GH) by 1 meq/L (3 dH), add 16 g (1 tablespoon) for every 80 L (20 gallons*) when setting up an aquarium or when making water changes (add to new water). Equilibrium™ can be added straight, although for optimum solubility we recommend mixing with ~ 1 L (1 qt.) of water (the resulting mixture will have a white opaque appearance). When this mixture is added to the aquarium it will impart a slight haze that should clear within 15–30 minutes. HINTS: Do not use Equilibrium™ when replacing evaporated water. This dose is based on DI or RO water; for other water, measure hardness (GH) first, then add according to need. Plant preferences vary, but a general guide is about 1–2 meq/L (3–6 dH) or match the existing or target carbonate hardness (KH), which, ideally, is also about 1–2 meq/L (3–6 dKH).t
    Maurice Cheong
    A . M o m e n t . o f . T r a n q u i l i t y...

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    As I'm using a Ph controller for the amount of CO2, I need to make sure the KH is 4 to 6 degree for planted tank. Ph of my controller is set at 7. Something I read in a book.
    I'll try coral chip and add sodium bicarbonate again.

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