Problem with KH

[taz_boy]

morning folks.

i'm having some problem with my Kh level for my tank. it is unusually low.
<1Kh.

i've been trying to remedy it by adding bicarbonate of soda. but seems no use.

so what's the nxt step i should take. Should i start dosing Seachem Alkaline Buffer?

[valice]

Substrate?

[taz_boy]

Substrate?

a...nope..lapis...always been lapis.
guess normally after doing weekly 20% water change. i'll mix some bicarbonate of soda solution and add into my tank. but for the last few water changes, never added. so now the kh is unusually low...

[Barra21]

Yup adding bicarb will be good to raise KH. Another thing u can do is to add some coral chips in ur filter.

[Aquaculture]

If I'm not mistaken coral chips will raise the PH of the water, therefore depending on the fauna you're rearing. I'm not too sure about this but a lfs has told me that adding lava chips as part of the filter media would help. Probably some experts here may be able to confirm that.

[grey_fox]

Adding coral chips will raise the KH and also act as a buffer. Its a bit more convenient than adding baking soda.

[juggler]

Seashells are a good source of Ca and Mg. Great for your plants and it provides the kH too. pH will rise as well. I always have them in my cannister filter.

BTW - Baking Soda not only raises the kH but the pH as well.

[ronald_t80]

Hi all....please enlighten me but i always heard uncles form lfs that for planted tanks...ph should be low instead....But as what being discussed above...seems like its higher ph leh? so which is which?

[taz_boy]

they mentioned low ph. probably they meant that there's good level of co2 inside the tank. as normally low ph = acidic water = good level of co2 level for plants to use.

kh helps to buffer the ph level (prevent ph crash) when your co2 is on/off. too low kh will lead for significant variation of ph level. (which may lead to fish health problems. etc)

[StanChung]

Guys, when you raise kH, pH will also go up.