New to SW. kH issue, plz help.

[SquidHC]

Alright so I have a "cycling your new tank" sheet from my LFS and it says I need to test my kH level and maintain it at 9-13 ppm. However I dont have a tester for this, nor an additive to buffer it if needed. I have a container of "Kent Marine Superbuffer-dKH". The container says it is made to maintain the pH of your tank between 8.0 to 8.3 and build the kH. So what if my pH is fine, does that mean the kH is fine also? Is there a test kit or different supplement I need to test this? Mind I purchased pre mixed tank ready salt water from my LFS, not RO water so Im assuming its already in there if it is need. Please help clarify this for me. Thanks =D

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I assume it reads 9-13 dKH. I recommend 7-11 dKH, but their values are also fine.

pH and alkalintiy are independent things, and you need an alkalintiy test kit for a reef aquarium. It and calcium are the two most important kits to have.

This article may help:

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

 

[SquidHC]

Alright so dKH is alkalinity? Thanks =D

Oh and I have a calcium test kit, Ill check that today.

 

[SquidHC]

Re: New to SW. kH issue, plz help.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9313064#post9313064 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SquidHC
I have a container of "Kent Marine Superbuffer-dKH". The container says it is made to maintain the pH of your tank between 8.0 to 8.3 and build the kH.

So is this something I use for both kH and pH, or just kH? The container says its for both but that doesnt make sence to me because what if one is fine and the other isnt? You wouldnt want to add more of both. =/

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I do not recommend adding buffers to control pH. It rarely works well, compared to more fresh air or using limewater or a high pH two part additives.