KH is too high!

[idan555]

Hello everyone,
I test my tank yesturday all parameter show 0, except KH.
KH show 358ppm!!, this is 60g rank that I'm doing 10% water change every week.
After water change I'm buffing my PH to 8.4 with "aquavitro", and calcium if needed per test.
This is a mix tank...
1. I change my water supplier lately (to Petco) you think it can be the problem?
2. Anyone have experience with "aquavitro" product? Are they rise KH by buffing?


Thanks,
Idan.

 

[crawlerman]

I've never used it, but read on another thread that it did raise KH. Wasn't a lot, .3 rise in KH while raising pH .1. I would recommend not chasing pH. Maintain consistent calcium, KH, and mag and you will be fine.

It would be odd if Petco water was that high, but buy a jug and test it. I'd also take a sample to a pet store and have them test it to verify your alkalinity is really that high. If I were to guess I would say faulty testing unless you added a crazy amount of the buffer.

 

[nanosteve309]

Test the Petco water on its own and see what the kH is.

 

[Shamous113]

Stop chasing your PH. your adding too much KH and your setting yourself up for a crash. if your concerned that your ph is too low then open a window in the room and let the fresh air in.

 

[nereefpat]

Yep...the pH "buffer" is just an alkalinity booster.

Most of us don't worry about pH.

 

[thegrun]

...and adding alkalinity (pH buffer) only give you a short temporary boost in pH.

 

[mcgyvr]

Just another vote for "Stop messing with PH"..
Don't measure it.. Don't buffer it... Just forget you even know what PH is..
If you have a PH probe stuff it deep in the closet or throw it in the trash..

Its going to be what its going to be and you just cause more problems trying to buffer it and yes the buffer will absolutely cause changes in alkalinity..

 

[hkgar]

Ph is like a spoiled brat - Well it CANNOT be controlled. Well except by lowering theCO2 in the water.DO NOT chase ph with a buffer. IT DOES NOT WORK!!!!!!!!!!!

Most of us around here think of Alk in terms of dKH,here is a converter:

https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/AlkConversion.php

 

[billdogg]

What does 358ppm equate to in either dKH or meq.L? My Salifert kit measures in those values so just how out of whack are you?

Nevermind - just clicked the link from above. I would think that at that level it would be snowing precipitate in your tank!

Have you tested with another test kit/brand?

 

[idan555]

I tested today the new water from different store, with same test kit and i got:
7 dKH.
in my tank is 20dKH now.
so what is the next step? water change? how much? 50% is safe?

 

[thegrun]

A 50% water change is a little rough on your livestock but so is alkalinity at 20dKh! I would make the 50% water change which should knock your alkalinity down to around 13dKh, still high but acceptable. From there you might want to make another 25% water change the following week and then just resume your weekly 10% water changes.