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Thread: KH levels low
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08-10-2019, 11:24 AM #1
KH levels low
Firstly I am using an NT Lab Aquarium Lab test kit as this was what I was sold when I asked for a water test kit. They knew I had a pond so I assumed it was the correct kit. I now know there is an NT Lab pond test kit - is there a difference?
My readings have been good but now the kH is low so I am wondering what to do next. I can top the pond up but wonder if a pond treatment is needed. The tap water kH is 3
KH 2
Ammonia 0
NH3 0
NO2 0
NO3 0
GH 7
PH 7.5
pond is 28,000 litres with 3 air bricks in the pond and 2 in the filters, running waterfall constant, 3x 24 watt UV lights.
Any suggestions appreciated.
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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08-10-2019, 12:57 PM #2
Pond or tropical test kit the only difference is the price
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08-10-2019, 12:59 PM #3
KH is abit low much like mine out the tap you can add bicarbonate of soda to raise it but u will need to look up how much you need to add as I can’t remember off the top of my head
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08-10-2019, 02:07 PM #4
There you are. This article from the Koi University pages of my website goes into technical detail for those who want to fully understand KH and how to raise it safely but, if you just want the basics, read the first two sections entitled "pH and KH" and "Hardness shock".
Alkalinity
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08-10-2019, 02:53 PM #5
Cheers syd love your page . It's like the bible
Sent from my SM-N950F using TapatalkFreddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
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10-10-2019, 08:35 PM #6
Thanks reading your article and doing the calculations:
simply put I need to add 30gms sod bic for every 1,000 litres. As it is a 30,000 litre pond I need to add 900 grams sod bic max per day until I reach to get to the reasonable level of 90 mg/l KH. I will test daily ot twice daily?
The more detailed calculation eluded me as I estimated I need a total 16,500 grams adding and that frightened me! Also it would take around 18 days and I worry on the impact on my fish.
The KH has been at 2 for over a month and fish seem OK. PH stable at 7.5 over the same period.
What do you suggest?
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11-10-2019, 05:07 PM #7
Recalculated with help its 1,650 gms needed. I now have some Tetra water stabiliser so will add that at a slow rate over the next few days.
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11-10-2019, 05:30 PM #8
Ponds can be successfully run at low values of KH and pH by those who deliberately choose to or by those who have to cope with low values of these parameters from their source water. However, under these conditions, great attention must be paid to the values of pH and KH and small regular additions of KH are essential in order to maintain a stable pH and especially to prevent a crash.
Running a pond at low values of KH and pH should not be attempted without a good knowledge of the relationship between KH and pH. For hobbyists who want a less demanding testing regime that gives a stable pH, and a good safety margin against the possibility of a pH crash, a KH value in the region of 5°KH to 7°KH (90 to 125 mg/L) is recommended.
I hope that helps.
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14-10-2019, 07:11 PM #9
Thanks again for your help. I have used Tetra pond stabiliser and the PH is now 7.5, KH has risen to 4 after one treatment so I am doing another dose tomorrow as trying to raise it slowly.
Gh is also a bit low so I have a packet of GH and minerals to add later next week. I am testing the water daily to keep on top of it for now and happy my fish are looking happy too.
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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14-10-2019, 07:16 PM #10
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14-10-2019, 07:20 PM #11
As I am a total novice at keeping any fish I have to use products that are measured and safe. I am not willing to guess how much to use and risk doing it wrong. OK if you know what you're doing to buy stuff in the supermarket and use it but not for me. Money isn't everything - safety is!
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14-10-2019, 07:21 PM #12
Plenty of calculators online that tell you how much to put in, no guessing involved
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14-10-2019, 07:22 PM #13
It also won’t raise your ph any higher than 8.4 no matter how much u put in
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