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20-06-2017, 05:37 PM #1
KH, GH & pH .... what's your target and why?
Following on from a different contentious thread (it was all Tashy's fault) I thought a dedicated discussion might be interesting.
My opinion is that soft water is a good thing but do we need low KH / pH alongside that?
I get that a relatively low pH (around 7.0) will minimise NH3 but if that's at the expense of nitrite is it the right thing to do?
With low KH there's a danger of a pH crash if you don't monitor / manage it. Is that worth the risk?
I'd say there plenty of evidence out there to "prove" RO is a good thing for fish growth. But why? Because it lowers the GH? Because it lowers the KH? Because it lets you run with a pH around 7? All of the above?
I'm pretty open minded of what the results are going to be but just over a year ago I turned off my RO to try to balance NH3 and nitrite and never turned it back on. Right now I only used softened water (low GH, relatively high KH and pH) as top up and I think I'm getting similar growth to that which I got when running RO without the risks. I get close to zero GH in my pond whilst the pH is around 8.0. The KH is around 8. NH3 close to zero (calculated from NH4, pH and temperature measurements) as is nitrite.
What do we think?
Last edited by admin; 30-06-2017 at 02:30 PM.
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20-06-2017, 05:53 PM #2
My current plan is to run TDS and GH as low as possible, and pH as close to 7 as possible, but while keeping KH at around 2 to 2.5 DH. So long as that doesn't give me any nitrite issues then I will be very happy.
My aim is of course growth, but I also want to improve skin quality and prevent shimmies.
I am convinced my koi are more 'hungry' at lower pH's- so even if it wasn't for the beneficial effect on free ammonia levels I would be wanting to get my pH down.
I am currently running the RO for around 9 hours a day to gradually bring down GH and KH (that's around 600 litres per day). I will use a pH controller to add bicarb once KH gets down low enough.2016 new 6000 gallon pond
https://www.koiforum.uk/pond-construc...ghlight=feline
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20-06-2017, 05:55 PM #3
Last edited by admin; 30-06-2017 at 02:30 PM.
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Trace Thanked / Liked this Post
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20-06-2017, 06:14 PM #4
Oh Ye blame me . This should be an interesting thread
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20-06-2017, 06:20 PM #52016 new 6000 gallon pond
https://www.koiforum.uk/pond-construc...ghlight=feline
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21-06-2017, 01:43 AM #6
If I'm honest I'd have to say I haven't got a clue John and I don't really care, my fish range from around 60cm to 90cm and still growing so I'm happy with that.
My readings are constant and stable at pH 7.6, KH 3 GH 12, is purity of water so essential or is quality of water the key, fish live longer in good quality water so they tend to grow bigger.Alias PWNN - Steve
My favourite and recommended web site is......
http://www.mankysanke.co.uk/
http://www.freewebs.com/koikoi/
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21-06-2017, 05:52 AM #7
Last edited by admin; 30-06-2017 at 02:31 PM.
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21-06-2017, 07:50 AM #8
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Pwnn am i right in believing you are an advocate of clay and use regularly? If so could that not be part the reason for the high GH? As the ph and kh looks to be on a softer/moderate side. Do you know what your tap kh and gh is mate? Its just good to see the whole picture and as john says maybe you are proof that RO/soft water isnt all what its cracked up to be.
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkIts always a work in progress
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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21-06-2017, 09:38 AM #9
Lol, John who said anything about being in excess of 90cm my largest I'm guessing is around 85/90cm but I ain't about to catch, stress, and see it expell blood from the gills just to prove it but here's some pond photos that proves nothing so you'll have to take my word for it.
Lee, my tap water is GH 12 and KH is 7/8, the pond is tiny, heavily stocked and over filtered I've not been using clay lately mainly because I don't want to cloud the water even slightly.
Maybe if I had RO all the fish would be bigger and better looking but in my pond I doubt it plus I've never spent a huge amount of money when buying the fish anyway, I sometimes wonder if the whole koi keeping hobby is overthought and perhaps a little too clinical, there's some beautiful ponds out there that have cost a small fortune to put together as have the fish in them yet they have reoccurring health and parasite problems, why is that.Alias PWNN - Steve
My favourite and recommended web site is......
http://www.mankysanke.co.uk/
http://www.freewebs.com/koikoi/
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21-06-2017, 09:40 AM #10
Last edited by admin; 30-06-2017 at 02:31 PM.
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Trace Thanked / Liked this Post
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21-06-2017, 10:08 AM #11Alias PWNN - Steve
My favourite and recommended web site is......
http://www.mankysanke.co.uk/
http://www.freewebs.com/koikoi/
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21-06-2017, 10:17 AM #12
LOL, comments about men and measurements spring to mind, but I'm keeping my mouth shut
Your pond looks lovely and tranquil Steve.2016 new 6000 gallon pond
https://www.koiforum.uk/pond-construc...ghlight=feline
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pondwithnoname, JohnKitching, Manky Sanke, freddyboy, john1, keithatrax, voodoo_15_uk Thanked / Liked this Post
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21-06-2017, 10:18 AM #13
Last edited by admin; 30-06-2017 at 02:31 PM.
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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21-06-2017, 10:39 AM #14
If you like , please continue.
Alias PWNN - Steve
My favourite and recommended web site is......
http://www.mankysanke.co.uk/
http://www.freewebs.com/koikoi/
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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21-06-2017, 10:52 AM #15Alias PWNN - Steve
My favourite and recommended web site is......
http://www.mankysanke.co.uk/
http://www.freewebs.com/koikoi/
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21-06-2017, 10:52 AM #16
No need. I'm happy
KeepingKoi - Index page - free, independent and friendly.
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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21-06-2017, 11:08 AM #17
Here's a photo with a koi turning on the surface, it's probably only 1cm long.........better safe than sorry when guessing size.
Alias PWNN - Steve
My favourite and recommended web site is......
http://www.mankysanke.co.uk/
http://www.freewebs.com/koikoi/
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21-06-2017, 11:13 AM #18
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21-06-2017, 11:33 AM #19Alias PWNN - Steve
My favourite and recommended web site is......
http://www.mankysanke.co.uk/
http://www.freewebs.com/koikoi/
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21-06-2017, 11:34 AM #20
Aquaforte Dm vario 20000 pumps
Still for sale. Postage available for cost Sent from my SM-S901B using Tapatalk