Water Hardness

Eduardo · 05-27-2008, 04:39 PM

Hi guys,
I just got the KH test kit, and I got a measured of 180 (I don’t remember the units). The test kit instructions said that for SWA the KH should be between 110 and 125.

I plan to reduce the KH by using distilled water in all my futures WC. I was using drinking water (that added extra calcium and Magnesium to the water mix) By using distilled water + salt mix I will reduce the KH eventually.

I understand that the KH will affect the fluid exchange between cells. If my KH is too high what kind of problems will I run into with my fish, inverts and zoanthids?
Regards,
Eduardo

rlcline76 · 05-27-2008, 08:23 PM

You may have caught it before it got nasty. Check the KH of your replacement water, make sure it has nothing to do with your salt mix. How are your other parameters?

Eduardo · 05-28-2008, 11:48 AM

My other indicators are ok:
Amm=0 ppm
NO2= 0 ppm
NO3= 10 ppm
PH= 8.3
PO4= 0 ppm
The inverts seem to be doing great. I fact last night a saw a baby pistol shrimp and a bunch of snails. The general population seems to be increasing.
On the other hand the zoanthids do not seem that happy.
Regards,
Eduardo

Eduardo · 05-28-2008, 12:21 PM

My other indicators are ok:
Amm=0 ppm
NO2= 0 ppm
NO3= 10 ppm
PH= 8.3
PO4= 0 ppm
The inverts seem to be doing great. I fact last night a saw a baby pistol shrimp and a bunch of snails. The general population seems to be increasing.
On the other hand the zoanthids do not seem that happy.
Regards,
Eduardo

rlcline76 · 05-28-2008, 01:21 PM

How's your calcium?
The zoas might not like their placement.

lcstorc · 05-28-2008, 01:23 PM

Magnesium also plays a part in the chemical game.

Boomer · 05-28-2008, 02:23 PM

Your KH is not high but fine. Our range is 125 -200 ppm. Just don't add any more buffer to raise it. Try to keep it 150 - 175 ppm. There is NO need to do ANY WC to get the KH down. It will fall pretty fast all by itself. Leave it alone

What is your salinity ? How is it measured, i.e., with what and who's salt are you using ?

A guide on water parameters for you

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Eduardo · 05-28-2008, 02:59 PM

Hi Guys,
Thanks for your help. My SG is 1.023
I use a Hydrometer to test the SG
For the salt water mix I used to use drinking water with Oceanic Natural Sea. From now on, I will use distilled water for the mix.
Regards,
Eduardo

Boomer · 05-28-2008, 04:03 PM

Who's hydrometer are you using ? Your Salinity is to low and needs to be around ~ 1.026

05-27-2008, 04:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
Eduardo Tunicate Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 22 View Gallery Karma Komment	Water Hardness Hi guys, I just got the KH test kit, and I got a measured of 180 (I don’t remember the units). The test kit instructions said that for SWA the KH should be between 110 and 125. I plan to reduce the KH by using distilled water in all my futures WC. I was using drinking water (that added extra calcium and Magnesium to the water mix) By using distilled water + salt mix I will reduce the KH eventually. I understand that the KH will affect the fluid exchange between cells. If my KH is too high what kind of problems will I run into with my fish, inverts and zoanthids? Regards, Eduardo

05-27-2008, 08:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
rlcline76 Manta Ray Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3,365 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Water Hardness You may have caught it before it got nasty. Check the KH of your replacement water, make sure it has nothing to do with your salt mix. How are your other parameters?

05-28-2008, 11:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
Eduardo Tunicate Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 22 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Water Hardness My other indicators are ok: Amm=0 ppm NO2= 0 ppm NO3= 10 ppm PH= 8.3 PO4= 0 ppm The inverts seem to be doing great. I fact last night a saw a baby pistol shrimp and a bunch of snails. The general population seems to be increasing. On the other hand the zoanthids do not seem that happy. Regards, Eduardo

05-28-2008, 12:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Eduardo Tunicate Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 22 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Water Hardness My other indicators are ok: Amm=0 ppm NO2= 0 ppm NO3= 10 ppm PH= 8.3 PO4= 0 ppm The inverts seem to be doing great. I fact last night a saw a baby pistol shrimp and a bunch of snails. The general population seems to be increasing. On the other hand the zoanthids do not seem that happy. Regards, Eduardo

05-28-2008, 01:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
rlcline76 Manta Ray Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3,365 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Water Hardness How's your calcium? The zoas might not like their placement.

05-28-2008, 01:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,008 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Water Hardness Magnesium also plays a part in the chemical game. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

05-28-2008, 02:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,157 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Water Hardness Your KH is not high but fine. Our range is 125 -200 ppm. Just don't add any more buffer to raise it. Try to keep it 150 - 175 ppm. There is NO need to do ANY WC to get the KH down. It will fall pretty fast all by itself. Leave it alone What is your salinity ? How is it measured, i.e., with what and who's salt are you using ? A guide on water parameters for you Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

05-28-2008, 02:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
Eduardo Tunicate Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 22 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Water Hardness Hi Guys, Thanks for your help. My SG is 1.023 I use a Hydrometer to test the SG For the salt water mix I used to use drinking water with Oceanic Natural Sea. From now on, I will use distilled water for the mix. Regards, Eduardo

05-28-2008, 04:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,157 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Water Hardness Who's hydrometer are you using ? Your Salinity is to low and needs to be around ~ 1.026 __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

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