will low KH levels

[sps_dude]

hi ... just want to know wether low KH levels will result in STN.... and how do u increase it safely in a reef tank with alot of corals in it ????

[FuEl]

How low? NSW has a kH of about 6. But people tend to aim for higher levels in aquaria to prevent pH swings. kH levels less than 6 will be dangerous.

[sps_dude]

hmm.... i my levels is around 10........ quite low..... so any gurus can advice how to boost it up... what type of additive is good ??//

[Achilles Tang]

10 is considered above average.

[sps_dude]

oh...... thanks...... yah..... but sooner or later my tank KH will fall....... so i need to know what additive will be the best..... i thought i saw someone's tank with kh 12 ????

[tineng]

i tot everything is in balance? if you push KH too high, then CA will drop....someone told me that there are only so much molecules in the water...no way you can keep both parameters very high without causing imbalances else where....

me still quite new so a bit blur about these things....

[reef2]

hi ... just want to know wether low KH levels will result in STN.... and how do u increase it safely in a reef tank with alot of corals in it ????

kh < 6 will result in STN in my experience. 7 is the least.

[madmac]

i tot everything is in balance? if you push KH too high, then CA will drop....someone told me that there are only so much molecules in the water...no way you can keep both parameters very high without causing imbalances else where....

me still quite new so a bit blur about these things....

You must mean Anthony Calfo... in Understanding Calcium and Alkalinity :

He went on to explian... "There are several minerals that commonly contribute to the overall hardness of water, but calcium and magnesium are the primary elements. A higher measure of water hardness (Alkalinity) translates to a higher buffering ability, and subsequently a lower chance of a pH change in the system." -- excerpted from http://www.wetwebmedia.com/calcalkmar.htm

Then the marble analogy... Good read for those who frequent this section of the forum.

I suppose if you follow the above definition, then a low KH won't cause/kill anything... it is simply a measure... It is like saying, "Will having $500,000 in your bank a/c will cause you to have cancer as oppose to having only $50?"

Bill Clinton - "It is the Music, stupid."; "It is the pH change, stupid.", watch for it, that is where the trouble starts.

best to all,

mm

[Creetin]

i guess issit due to low KH = low PH so tats bad for our tanks?

in any case, i keep mine above 10.

dunno whether more than 10 got STN/RTN implications or not...?