Carbonate Hardness (KH)

[Rushy]

Guys

Thought I would see how things were going with my parameters last night, and although the SG and pH were quite high (1.028 & 8.5), I'm sure that with regular partial water changes I should be able to reduce and stablise them. The concern lies with the KH at 22 drops (220mg/l) in the test tube sample I gave up. I know we have very hard water where I live, but the advice sheet for the test just says "Unusually high, need to consult your aquatics expert!!" Any one out there have a similar experience? Any advice, tips and pointers would be greatly appreciated! :D

Other than that, the tank seems to be cycling ok with the Ammonia @ 0, Nitrite @ 0.3mg/l and Nirate @ 10mg/l

 

[daugherty]

kh will always be very hard because of the salt. test your dkh or alk that is what matters.

 

[ccCapt]

220 mg/l = 12.3dKH
That is high, but not high enough to really be concerned about.
What brand salt are you using? I assume your using tap water?

 

[Rushy]

220 mg/l = 12.3dKH
That is high, but not high enough to really be concerned about.
What brand salt are you using? I assume your using tap water?

I actually gave up testing at that point Capt, so in reality it's higher. I have now bought RO water from the LFS, for water change and top up, but I'm only two weeks into my cycle anyway so haven't had need to do either yet really. The worst thing is, that when I was setting up, I thought shall I just go and get enough RO to fill the tank, or fill direct from the tap - I now know what the answer should have been, because of course I filled up from the tap!! I'm using 'instant ocean'. Thanks for the reply :D

 

[Rushy]

kh will always be very hard because of the salt. test your dkh or alk that is what matters.

Sorry James, now getting a little lost in the testing and parameter requirements. I bought a Hagen test kit, so it covers most things, however I think my understanding of carbonate hardness, especially when you throw in alkilinity as well, is blurry at best. I'm trying to understand it all, but must admit, whilst most things I have managed to grasp relatively ok, this subject is vexing me slightly. Also having trouble understanding the units conversion, as Hagen in the guide books quote 'mg/l' and the majority of literature and articles I've read quote 'ppm' - very confused!! :confused:

 

[Rushy]

A further drain on the wonderful resources on this great forum required :bowdown:Further reading this lunchtime has led me to believe that Carbonate Hardness and Alkalinity are the same thing, is that true, is it just a terminology issue?? I have also found the equation conversion from 'mg/l' to 'dKH' so that's made things easier to understand, but if anyone knows how to convert from either to 'ppm', I will be eternally grateful!! Also reading material although helpful when you have to increase your Alkalinity is just as unhelpful when you need to decrease it. I know that to reduce the alkalinity it is possible by heating water (as part of the distilling process), but ridiculous to contemplate once the water is in the tank, will partial water changes help?? Thank you all, and I promise to stop asking so many questions soon!! :D

 

[ccCapt]

Since you are still cycling, don't worry about alkalinity. You only need to worry about alk/calcium/magnesium levels when you start doing coral.
dKH, meq/l, ppm(mg/l) are all the same thing. It is the reading of the alkalinity level in your system.
Here's a nice conversion site. http://www.saltyzoo.com/SaltyCalcs/AlkConv.php

Here's some great reading.

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners - 4 part series
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php

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

A Simplified Guide to the Relationship Between Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php

 

[Rushy]

Since you are still cycling, don't worry about alkalinity. You only need to worry about alk/calcium/magnesium levels when you start doing coral.
dKH, meq/l, ppm(mg/l) are all the same thing. It is the reading of the alkalinity level in your system.
Here's a nice conversion site. http://www.saltyzoo.com/SaltyCalcs/AlkConv.php

Here's some great reading.

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners - 4 part series
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php

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

A Simplified Guide to the Relationship Between Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php

Thanks so much ccCapt, absolute star!

 

[daugherty]

dont mind me i was thinking of general hardness. i was being retarted