Lowering KH

[Rainbowofcolors]

Hi,

I have a PH of 8.3 ish but the KH is 12.4 I use a buffer for PH and Alkalinity but does that not raise it even higher? How do I lower it to the appropriate level of kh-8 and dkh of 2.9?

Thanks

 

[scbasser5]

I am not sure what your trying to do, but if you are trying to lower either one. You can add seltser water, but you must be very careful!!!!!!!!! I have used it to lower my DKH by adding 4 oz of seltzer water then testing the PH and DKH about an hour later. DO NOT LOWER THE PH TOO FAST.

This works if done slowly and tested carefully so you don't go too far tooo fast.

 

[dots]

I know whats going on.....had the same problem.

So you add your buffer to "set" your water before you add it correct? What end up happening is your Alk goes through the roof, snails and stuff die. Correct?

Had a simimlar experience, I was using the Proper 8.2 in all my water and this happened. What I did is that I stopped using it so much. The buffers in the ph set are powerful, I only use it to set the tank and use a supplement such as b-ionic to regulate it. I hardly use the stuff anymore......

To fix it, do water changes and DON't add any more ph setter. The alk will come down slowly as you do water changes and topoffs. Test your alk and ca because they are mutally exclusive and bring them into range. If your Alk is that high, your CA is probably depressed.

Test your alk and CA everyday until you get the levels you want, start using Kalk or 2part additives.

Takes a while to fix, but after I fixed mine all my "problems" with the tank went away. Best thing to do is to get into a routine with hubandry and should be easy to solve.

 

[Rainbowofcolors]

Sacramentodots,

You hit it on the head. I'll back off on the buffer and test. I add buffer every 2 weeks during water changes.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Soda water is a fine way to reduce pH, but it has no effect on alkalinity. Alkalinity is best lowered by just letting it fall on its own with no additions. I usually recommend 7-11 dKH, so 12 is not far off, nor is it a significant problem.

These articles may help:

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Low pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm