Achieving specific WP

[BlueBolts]

Attempting to convert one of my tank to PH 7, KH 10 & GH 10, ATM PH 7, KH 2 & GH 5. Adding bicarb sode for the KH, & GH booster/CaS04 for the GH, BUT wondered whether there was a buffering product similar to the benibachi soil that buffers the PH & GH.... so asked the question to Mr_Docfish/Aquotix (forum sponsor).... Thought I'd share his in-depth knowledge nd response...

"simply, no.....

pH is relative / qualitative and therefore can be held at one point, but KH and GH are quantitative (note - quality vs quantity.... subtle but different) so levels will change (normally drop) after time.... so you have to add, at least to your source water and if you do regular water changes, then you will expect similar conditions in the aquarium.

Benibachi can get a GH of 4 because the zeolite product in the soil will dissolve at a known rate and much of it will get used up.... GH4 is an estimate, and will change depending on the number of shrimp in the tank....

You could get a small amount of Dolomite (calcium/magnesium carbonate) (buy it off the internet) and let it dissolve in the tank - it will dissolve very slowly (95% insoluble at pH of 7.0) but will increase as the pH drops..... it will however increase the pH as it dissolves, so it is self limiting unless there is another source of acid like carbonic acid.... so dont use it in the presence of CO2 ....

before you ask how much Dolomite...... you will have to play with it until you work out what suits you best in your situation... the finer the Dolomite is, the faster it dissolves."

Any comments, suggestion and/or solution is much appreciated. My tap water has a KH of 5, and GH of 6, but TDS of 350+, so reluctant to use this...... Continual adding of bicarb and CaS04 just seems painful and concern with fluctuations etc, as it's a nano tank.

[Squiggle]

I'm not sure if this helps much but Aquasonic has a Carbonate Hardness Generator which will raise the KH & PH, not sure about the GH though, used to use this stuff on my Marine & African tanks :encouragement:

[ninja]

I got plenty of that BB,

[Squiggle]

I just remembered there's a Fluval mineral supplement that raises GH only, hope that help :encouragement:

[BlueBolts]

Raising KH & GH manually via GH/KH booster isn't the issue..I was hoping that there was a natural product that I could throw into the tank and it'll buffer to a specific GH/KH ? i.e. 1 tablet = 25lt will raise GH by 5 & KH by 5...... I know it's wishfull thinking, but just had to ask ! Pretty sure it exist in a StarTrek episode I saw once. LOL

[Heavyd]

I dont have the trekkie solution to your problem, but wanted to ask: How much Calcium sulfate to raise the gH per volume, or are you going to make me do the maths? Also, what happens to the sulfate in your tanks? Harmful in any way?

[Mr_Docfish]

Sulphates are harmless to your tank, so dont worry.

the amount depends on the hydrated state of the calcium sulphate you are using (the more water contained per molecule, the heavier it is and the less Ca.

For the dihydrate (not plaster) roughly a level teaspoon per liter will give you roughly 1degGH.....

For those interested, you can read about GH on my website - http://www.aquotix.com/advice/management/gh-general-hardness/

The article covers some of the complexities with GH and how it is measured and calculated... For those not chemistry minded, it might be rather confusing.

[Heavyd]

Thanks for the response Doc. I got mine from ********* and not sure which form it is. May have to do some testing on the cherry tanks.