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Re: Lowering pH when adding hardwater nutrients
Woops! thanks Paul - I realised later that I meant to say the sodium bicarb
provided carbonates (not calcium!), which somehow were needed for CO2
production, but didn't get back to send a follow-up post.
David, I think I do have enough calcium in the water now, but not before - the
snails' shells were pretty brittle. Now with the Equilibrium, I am getting a
reading of 20 ppm, which is fine, as you say. Also, I've finally got a
reading on the Iron test, chelated iron is .25 mg/L - its a happening thing!
>Adding ground limestone (CaCO3 and MgCO3) increases KH because some of the
>calcium and magnesium carbonate reacts with additional CO2 to become
calcium and >magnesium bicarbonate. These bicarbonates are more soluble, and
the bicarbonate >ions increase the KH.
>The only way to keep an unbuffered tank stable is to change the water quite
>frequently. Any increase in the concentrations of nitrifying products will
>tend to "crash" the pH otherwise.
Okay Paul, I'll try to get some ground limestone. Glad to know I don't need
to bother with the acid, it was not something I was looking forward to. And
that idea about doubling the sample size for tests to increase the sensitivity
is one I will certainly use!
>Umm - I just pointed out 1.5 KH as the "break point" for pH 7.0. A KH of 2 or
so >won't throw you very much off. Especially since everything's being
measured with >kits rather than electronically.
That's okay!
>Sounds like you're finally getting things where you'd like them.
>Much easier without the dolomite, eh?...
Absolutely - pH STILL 7.4!!! Can't thank you enough, guys!
Susi
In beautiful, mostly sunny, Lions Bay, Vancouver