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I moved... The old place had a well.. Very hard water..

Well - ph 8.0
gh 19 degrees or 340 ppm
kh 14 degrees or 250 ppm

The values in the tank right now match the well values,
as I brought all the water with me when I moved. I've done
one 25% water change..

Town - ph 7.5
gh 8 degrees or 143 ppm
kh 5 degrees or 90 ppm

I'm just wondering.. I'm sure this ph is way better for the fish I keep. But what about my plants ? Also I now keep cherry red shrimp.. And how will adding co2 affect it as I want to hook up 'the bottle' again. It's a hagen unit and I make my own mix. And does it look like it's buffered ok ? Any help appreciated, thanks !



The Amazon Nut...

hey there...ur water is almost similar to toronto water..but ours is more at the pH 8..but for KH and GH r similar.

i have a co2 hooked in my system...that drop my pH at a range of 7-7.3 to 7.5...

generally, ur ok with that pH...a lot of torpical fish and plants r within that median. KH 5 will hold the pH quite ok as long as the co2 source is constant but, if ever u decided to have a co2...definitely..ur pH will drop further...how low, i dont know,i frolly, that will be below 7. the problem with ur water now is...i think if im not mistaken...the dissolve co2 in ur tank is just around 9ppm...which is below for planted tank. so, u could try to hav a co2 but be cautious abt the pH.

gudluck

The pH will drop as you add CO2. How much depends on several things, including the KH of the water, how much surface area you have (CO2 tends to evaporate into the air).

Some plants have a specific range of pH that they like, but most will adapt. Crypts will probably loose their leaves, but they'll grow back. What kind do you have?

If the pH drops below the level you want it, you can add baking soda to the water with each water change. Aim to add the same amount each time, so the KH remains stable. The CO2 level will remain roughly the same, but the pH will rise with the KH. I add 1/4 tsp per gallon and maintain a KH about 150 ppm higher than my tap water.

Good luck

Carl

Thanks for the tips.. My Crypt is an x willisi. It did a little melting when I moved but also I re-did the substrate. It has recovered !

The Amazon Nut...