This site is supported by the advertisements on it, please disable your AdBlocker so we can continue to provide you with the quality content you expect.
  1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.
  2. Unfortunately for Photobucket users, things have changed in a big way as of June 26th they are rolling out a $399 per year subscription fee for those who want to hotlink images from Photobucket’s servers to display elsewhere.
    This does not mean it only affects this site, It now means that billions of images across the Web now display an error message instead of the image in question. :(
    https://barrreport.com/threads/attention-photobucket-users.14377/
    Dismiss Notice
Cookies ATTENTION: DO NOT USE PHOTOBUCKET!

Fluctuating KH from tap.

Discussion in 'CO2 Enrichment' started by charter, Mar 16, 2007.

  1. charter

    charter Guest

    The town water I use sometimes changes, it was at 5 deg. now its at 6 deg., I've seen it as high as 9 deg. I was told that it shouldn't go that high again because they had to shut down the oldest well (DER). The only test kit I use is API . I have a drop checker from the Red sea CO2 Pro kit and they say to use my tap water with the solution. As I read the posts here I'm now confused, if I use distilled water and CaCO3 to get a 4 deg. KH wouldn't the reading be incorrect from the drop checker?
     
    #1 charter, Mar 16, 2007
  2. dapellegrini

    dapellegrini Lifetime Charter Member
    Lifetime Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2006
    Messages:
    111
    Likes Received:
    0
    With a 4dKh reference solution you would not be measuring your PH or KH, but instead your CO2. The PH and KH are fixed, proven numbers that will not change in the Drop Checker, so the only thing that can change is CO2, which will drive the PH down and therefore change the color. At 6.6 PH in the 4dKH ref solution you know you have 30ppm of CO2, which will show a nice green color. More CO2 and it will go yellow, less and it will go blue.

    Your fluctiating KH will mean that your ideal tank PH will change. The drop checker won't care though, as it is only measuring your CO2. Maintain green and all is well.
     
    #2 dapellegrini, Mar 17, 2007
  3. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
    Staff Member Administrator Social Group Admin

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2005
    Messages:
    18,458
    Likes Received:
    323
    And this is a good example why a drop checker is a good thing with varying the KH.

    The CO2 flow rate is still the same even if the KH moves due to the needle valve etc.
    The plants also have not changed their CO2 demand.

    So things should be fine, but careful for the fish, large KH changes are not that good for them. Refill slowly.


    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #3 Tom Barr, Mar 17, 2007
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Loading...
Similar Threads - Fluctuating tap
  1. wildgreenyonder

    Fluctuating CO2 in low light tanks

    wildgreenyonder, Feb 16, 2014, in forum: CO2 Enrichment
    Replies:
    0
    Views:
    11
    wildgreenyonder
    Feb 16, 2014
  2. Christophe

    The Other Things in Our Tap Water...

    Christophe, Oct 16, 2016, in forum: Aquatic Plant Fertilization
    Replies:
    9
    Views:
    19
    Christophe
    Nov 5, 2016
  3. scottward

    Sodium in tap water

    scottward, Oct 12, 2016, in forum: General Plant Topics
    Replies:
    3
    Views:
    25
    scottward
    Oct 19, 2016
  4. Hachi

    Remineralizing RO with tap, more trace needed?

    Hachi, Aug 25, 2016, in forum: Aquatic Plant Fertilization
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    23
    Hachi
    Aug 25, 2016
  5. LittleTinGod

    My Tap Water

    LittleTinGod, Oct 14, 2015, in forum: General Plant Topics
    Replies:
    3
    Views:
    16
    Christophe
    Oct 14, 2015

Share This Page