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  1. #1
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Gosai Ryda's Avatar
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    Using two water treatments at once?

    Long time no see everyone. Hope your fishies are doing well. I've recently done a pond test and the alkalinity and GH have come up with very poor results. Leaflet says I should get Koi care KH, and koi care GH & minerals up. I just wanted to double check if its alright to use both at the same time.



  2. #2
    Ignore the GH, that is important in some types of tropical aquaria but there are no advantages in having a high GH in a koi pond unless you buy high quality koi where sumi (black) is the predominant colour, such as Shiro Utsuri, that you want to grow on in water that favours the development of the sumi. Lower values of GH favour the development of beni (red) so that is the frequent choice for koi keepers who don't want a pond full of perfect black and white koi.

    By all means raise the KH to get a stable pH but the higher you raise it, the higher will be your pH. If you would be happy with a pH in the region of 8 or above then a KH of 5 to 7 will give a stable pH with no risk that there will ever be a pH crash. You can run a pond at a lower KH if you prefer a lower value of pH (many do) but the lower you keep the KH, and therefore the pH, the more vigilant you need to be to ensure the KH doesn't fall too near to zero which would risk a sudden pH crash.

    If you raise the KH, don't raise it too quickly. I wrote more detail on KH and pH stability and suitable rates to raise the values here:
    Alkalinity

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  4. #3
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Gosai Ryda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Manky Sanke View Post
    Ignore the GH, that is important in some types of tropical aquaria but there are no advantages in having a high GH in a koi pond unless you buy high quality koi where sumi (black) is the predominant colour, such as Shiro Utsuri, that you want to grow on in water that favours the development of the sumi. Lower values of GH favour the development of beni (red) so that is the frequent choice for koi keepers who don't want a pond full of perfect black and white koi.

    By all means raise the KH to get a stable pH but the higher you raise it, the higher will be your pH. If you would be happy with a pH in the region of 8 or above then a KH of 5 to 7 will give a stable pH with no risk that there will ever be a pH crash. You can run a pond at a lower KH if you prefer a lower value of pH (many do) but the lower you keep the KH, and therefore the pH, the more vigilant you need to be to ensure the KH doesn't fall too near to zero which would risk a sudden pH crash.

    If you raise the KH, don't raise it too quickly. I wrote more detail on KH and pH stability and suitable rates to raise the values here:
    Alkalinity
    Wow, thanks for the tip. I've read your article, and a question comes to mind. You say to increase the KH I need to add bicarb. Does that mean I don't need to buy this koi care KH? I'm embarrassed to say I had forgotten what bicarb did.

    My KH was minus DH I guess. It turned yellow after only one drop. My PH though came through with a 7, which according to this testing kit is neutral.

  5. #4
    You obviously have very soft water which many hobbyists would sell a kidney for. What you need to do is to raise the KH and the cheapest way to do this is by using sodium bicarbonate from a supplier such as on the link below rather than paying for sodium bicarbonate sold under koi related brand names at much higher prices.

    After you've raised the KH (and therefore the pH) to a value you're comfortable with, you will need to establish how often you need to top it up and with how much. There are different strategies depending on the feeding rate, how much water you change and what pH you want to maintain.

    My water is so hard that liquid concrete comes out of my taps so those with soft water will be better able to offer advice on how they maintain a stable pH.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SODIUM-BI...r=600197007658

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  7. #5
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Supreme Champion john1's Avatar
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    I have 0 kh from the tap so I have to add sod/bicarb to keep my kh at around 4.
    I would follow as per Mankys site on dosage and eventually you will get used to how much to add and how often.
    I now have a small scoop which I add weekly and I know it keeps my kh on an even keel.
    I still have to check it now and again though.
    Wouldn't bother with the branded additives and just stick as per Mankys site.
    John

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  9. #6
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Gosai Ryda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Manky Sanke View Post
    You obviously have very soft water which many hobbyists would sell a kidney for. What you need to do is to raise the KH and the cheapest way to do this is by using sodium bicarbonate from a supplier such as on the link below rather than paying for sodium bicarbonate sold under koi related brand names at much higher prices.

    After you've raised the KH (and therefore the pH) to a value you're comfortable with, you will need to establish how often you need to top it up and with how much. There are different strategies depending on the feeding rate, how much water you change and what pH you want to maintain.

    My water is so hard that liquid concrete comes out of my taps so those with soft water will be better able to offer advice on how they maintain a stable pH.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SODIUM-BI...r=600197007658
    Thank you so much for your information and saving me money I do recall a few years ago I kept the KH at a stable level, so I shouldn't have too much trouble getting back into the rhythm of things. My nitrate is close to being too high so I need to cut back on their feeding. Think I've been feeding them too much anyway. My fault for slacking off!

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