Re: Increase in GH

[Wright Huntley <huntley1 at home_com>]

> Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2001 14:26:56 -0400
> From: "John T. Fitch" <JTFitch at FitchFamily_com>
> Subject: Increase in GH
> 
> The following isn't a problem, just a puzzle -- to me, at least.

snip...

> But here's one I don't understand: the GH went up from 120 to 140 ppm.  I
> thought I might have miscounted the drops and repeated the test (Hach kit).
> Same result.  I hadn't added any Ca or Mg during the week.  Could someone
> tell me what else could have raised the GH?  Thanks.

The substrate or ornaments. It only takes a little shell in the gravel, or a
bit of dolomite, marble or limestone rock in the ornaments to do what you
are seeing.

I test them with straight pool acid ("muriatic") and look for bubbles. If
they are present, I know that the gravel or rock will increase my hardness
at any pH near neutral or below. 

Usually, it's not a big deal, but can be a real problem in soft water tanks
with CO2. The KH changes too, and your pH is no longer a good measure of CO2
level unless you redo the KH test.

Wright

-- 
Wright Huntley, Fremont CA, USA, 510 494-8679  huntley1 at home_com

        "Congress has not unlimited powers to provide
for the general welfare but only those specifically enumerated."
                                      --Thomas Jefferson

                Did you try the quiz at: 

          http://www.self-gov.org/index.html ?

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