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Thread: Low KH nad GH

  1. #1
    Junior Member Rank = Fry Grizta's Avatar
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    Low KH nad GH

    According to tests i've just done both my KH and GH are around 35,6 ppm or 2 dh, if i am doing the test correctly.
    The instructions say the ideal parameters are 107ppm and 142ppm respectively, so that would mean both of these are really low, i have tested my tap water and these are the same.
    The kit is an nt labs kit, other parameters are as follows
    PH =7-8, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and 0 nitrate.

    So how worried should i be? should i head out tomorrow and get some chemicals to raise these or will it be more detrimental to the fish chasing the ideal, what with them swinging up and down every water change.



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    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    I'm far from an expert but before someone more knowledgeable comes along I'd say if you want to increase it, check the levels out of the tap and of they are much higher simply carry out a partial water change.

    I don't think there's any harm with low KH but believe it significantly increases the risk of a PH crash.

    I'm interested to know how you're nitrate is at zero?

    Is your pond heavily planted?

    Mine Comes out the tap at 20ppm and rises to 80ppm within a fortnight.

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

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    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    Just for interest, I carry out so many partial water changes trying to keep my nitrates down that my KH doesn't drop below 12dh, and is sometimes as high as 14dh.

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

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    Junior Member Rank = Fry Grizta's Avatar
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    My tap water is coming out exactly the same.
    Quite surprised at having no traceable nitrate too tbh, that being said stocking levels are pretty low as the pond has only been running a couple of months and i put cycled sponge media from my goldfish tank in when i set it up so its had a head start, i have a few plants but i wouldnt say its heavily planted.

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    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    Hmm.. if tap water coming out that low probably best that someone with expertise gives a better explanation of how best to manage it.

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    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Jussai RJW2012's Avatar
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    I’d head out (online) and buy a different test kit and retest all parameters initially; a JBL Combi, API or Columbo ‘Professional’ Test Kit.

    Can I ask what filtration you have, how many fish and how you trickle or top up your water; with dechlor or via a cartridge or pod?

    Rob.


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  9. #7
    Junior Member Rank = Fry Grizta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RJW2012 View Post

    Can I ask what filtration you have, how many fish and how you trickle or top up your water; with dechlor or via a cartridge or pod?

    Rob.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    I use a diy trickle tower, made it with storage boxes, top box has foams and 3 underneath has 25kg of pumice.
    I have 3 - 6"-8" koi, 3 - 4"-5" koi and a couple of small goldfish.
    I have been doing 15% water changes weekly with a dechlor.

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    Moderator Rank = Supreme Champion Feline's Avatar
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    If your water is very soft, which it seems it is, you may need to add some sodium bicarbonate to keep the KH up at around 4DH where you are safer from pH crashes. There is no minimum level lf GH so I woukd ignore what the kit is advising you on that. I run my pind at zero GH. The fish get the minerals they need from their food.

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