Preparing kh4 solution to share

**Blaze88** · 24th Oct 2009, 01:38

Hi bros,

I am planning to prepare KH4 solution as i am going to get my Co2 Indicator soon. Since i work in a lab and could easiy get access to high accuracy weighs and DI water it would be quite simple for me to prepare the solution.

The only issue is that i do not know what is the amount of Sodium Bicorbonate to add into the water. as preparing a large amount would improve the accuracy, i am prepared to share the solution with fellow bros that help me, provided that distance does not become and issue

So basically i would need to know the weight of sodium bicarbonate (i have the 99.5% purity form) to add into a litre of DI water

**reavery** · 24th Oct 2009, 09:41

Hi Bro,

http://www.bcaquaria.com/forum/showthread.php?p=172073

It is a good one.

From,
danny

**boxedfish** · 24th Oct 2009, 11:29

One teaspoon (about 6 grams) of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) per 50
liters of water will increase KH by 4 degrees

info taken from here http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/CO2/khgh.html

**dna9179** · 24th Oct 2009, 12:08

placement of the indicator is also a point to take note after you got kh4 to mix with your solution. try to place the indicator on either4 side of the tank and see if the colour changes. but dun place it just above the diffuser.

**Tristan** · 24th Oct 2009, 18:26

4kH = 71.392 mg/L CaCO3 = 0.71330mmol/L CO3 = 1.4266mmol/L HCO3 = 119.83mg/L Sodium bicarbonate.
So just add 0.11984g to 1 L of DI water.

**dna9179** · 24th Oct 2009, 19:04

Originally Posted by Tristan

4kH = 71.392 mg/L CaCO3 = 0.71330mmol/L CO3 = 1.4266mmol/L HCO3 = 119.83mg/L Sodium bicarbonate.
So just add 0.11984g to 1 L of DI water.

Not really possible to add this amount of 0.11984g, it's hard to measure. Mix and amount of the min u can measure then divide the mixed water and adjust according. A test kit to measure the 4kh is good to have

**reavery** · 24th Oct 2009, 20:18

It might be a noob answer, but since Kh 4 water is needed, why not just ask around the forumer here? I bet lots of the forumer have the Kh 4 Tank water right ?

hmm...

From,
danny

**dna9179** · 24th Oct 2009, 21:12

i tired, but seem like no 1 have or no 1 offer to spare some

**Tristan** · 25th Oct 2009, 10:37

Test kits are inaccurate, esp titration based ones since you can't measure the size of each drop.
If you can't measure up to 5sf (it is possible though) just get a 10L volumetric flask and add 1.198g.

**Shadow** · 25th Oct 2009, 14:20

the whole think is suppose to be estimate, you don't really need to be accurate.

**Blaze88** · 25th Oct 2009, 14:34

Thanks for the help guys, im gonna make some on monday and will be happy to share it ! as i dont have a kit to check for KH, i cant gurentee the accuracy however rest assured that the weighing will be accurate

will also put up a pic of my first planted tank real soon haha