Reconstituting RO water....?

I finally broke weak and purchased an RO+DI system. I am wanting/needing a Ph of around 6-6.2--Maybe a little higher, maybe a little lower, but right now that's my mark.

I have Barr's GH Booster, so I will be using that, at least until its gone....So I need to understand what I am doing......

I am assuming that I want a KH of about 4, Correct? What about GH?--what am I looking for there?

I've read a ton of threads here and at TPT and APC, but its all kind of gotten jumbled around in my head.

What am I looking for for KH and GH with a PH of 6-6.2 without C02?

TIA

 

Thanx! I believe I am going to be mixing the RO w/ Tap--which for me is: Ph 8.2, Kh ~14-15, Gh ~17-18. So, from what I understand a 3RO:1T should give me about Kh 4-(3.75) and Gh 4.5 correct? Ph right now is unknown to me, so I'll just have to wait until I actually start mixing.

At a low Ph (~6) and a Kh of 3-4---what is my mark for Gh--(for the plants)?

TIA

 

I don't know--and that's why I am here. If some one could take the time to spell it out for me or provide a good link--that would be Great!

I could probably spend an hr over at SimplyDiscus.com Re-reading, but their site has been down for a while now....The marine sites use high ph water, so that doesn't do me any good.

 

I agree, but how do I get around the Zero Buffer (Kh) of straight RODI water? Or even can I?

I have been using Seachem's Acid Buffer with this Hard water while deciding/waiting on this RO unit. Acid Buffer lowers pH it converts carbonate alkalinity (KH) into available CO2. So, it will steadily eat away at whatever KH I do have--I don't know that that's a Good thing. In theory I guess, I could continuely add more KH with Baking Soda or Seachem's Alkaline Buffer. Seems like I could work out some kind of receipe to reach the goal.

 

I agree, but how do I get around the Zero Buffer (Kh) of straight RODI water? Or even can I?

Having a 0.1 Kh isn't very "safe" is it? Not from what I've learned over time.

I add Humic Acids/Tannins, so will that help bring down the Ph without adding C02?

I'm comfortable enough with a Kh of 2, but I really don't think I want to go below that, correct?

 

This is for my A. javanicus. I am seeking to somewhat replicate the Black water pools, streams, rivers, etc of SE Asia. I want the Low Ph and generally very soft water--not just for replication, but for its antiseptic qualities also/mainly. I already add Humic acids and Tannins for their antiseptic qualities. I have been using Seachem's Acid Buffer to keep my Ph between 6-7 and I am already seeing the benefits--I believe: more time will tell. The Ph does get up towards 7, but overall has been staying between 6-6.4. From reading SE Asian Biotope info Ph gets quite low. Ph of 6 is something that I should be able to manage in an aquarium and I can adjust it down further from there with C02 if necessary. But I think Ph 6 will work fine--but its not looking like its going to work at all. Plus I would just like to understand this stuff out of GP.

I use C02 in the Plant Filter and the overflows/returns are under water--except for the overflow from the plant filter to the sump. Its just a water-level overflow and there is mixing of air and water and bubbling at the other end in the sump--So, I am assuming that I am losing some C02 there--if not most or all of it. In the main tank is a Limewood (coralife) airstone, so I am assuming that I am losing all of the C02 there. I also have a large mesh bag of Peat in the canister filter and another one in the sump return prefilter.

Hornwort in the main 40g tank and I just added FISA'a Weeping Moss to a very large rock. In the Plant filter is Hygro Polysperma and Hp 'ceylon', Anachrias and a small amount of Hornwort. All of the plants are doing fine--in the plant filter and main tank, but Gh is around 21 after I add Mg.

Setup is: 40g Tank>30g Plant Filter>40g Sump>back to Tank.

I don't know, but I believe at this point that High 02 levels are important. That is why I have the airstone running. The Hornwort is an Oxygenator, but it is just now getting any real mass to it--Its only been in the main tank for maybe 2 wks. I would like to remove the airstone completely, but I don't want to make too many changes at once--been there done that.

Aside from Ph and Kh---What Gh am I looking for for the Plants?

TIA

 

Thanx Tom,

I understand the gist of what You are saying--especially concerning replication and focusing on one thing like Ph. However, in this case I am seeking the antiseptic qualities of a low Ph environment: the retarding of Bacterial and parasitic growth.

I'm not sure why I would Not be able to use Aquasoil and I will certainly keep it in mind. I may want to go down to a Ph of 5.5, but I really cannot see why that would be necessary. I've been keeping things in the 6-6.4 range and the effect seems positive at this point. But the changing out of the substrate would be very stressful for the A. javanicus (Aquatic Snake) and probably not worth the risk. I should be able to get down to Ph 6 without changing out the substrate--so, I am going to try that first.

My basic game plan right now is (from another Post):

Any Thoughts are Greatly Appreciated!

TIA