pH / dKh

[spiral_72]

I suppose I am looking for more of a blessing to continue more than
anything.... What do the wise have to say about this?

First, I kept everything clean, free from contamintaion and checked
results at least twice using Aquarium pharmaceutical's pH(6.0-7.6pH)
test kit and GH/KH test kits.

My tap water is +7.6pH at 4dKH.....
I add 1mL white vinegar to 1qt water: -6.0ph at 0dKH...
I add 1/16tsp baking soda to the solution: 7.0pH at +10dKH...
Does this sound reasonable?

Also my tap water fluctuates between 0 phosphates to as much as 5ppm...
It's well water. Any ideas? I seem to have a BGA bloom every time the
phosphates in my tap water jump.

I am interested in making batches of water for my water changes. I
don't feel I have enough control over my water parameters now. The
water conditions seem to be a little tough on the sword fry.

Thanks for any info. I thought I have a grasp on this stuff already! :)

My Aquaria info and liks at:
http://www.geocities.com/spiral_72/Spirals_page.html

[Elaine T]

spiral_72 wrote:
> I suppose I am looking for more of a blessing to continue more than
> anything.... What do the wise have to say about this?
>
> First, I kept everything clean, free from contamintaion and checked
> results at least twice using Aquarium pharmaceutical's pH(6.0-7.6pH)
> test kit and GH/KH test kits.
>
> My tap water is +7.6pH at 4dKH.....
> I add 1mL white vinegar to 1qt water: -6.0ph at 0dKH...
> I add 1/16tsp baking soda to the solution: 7.0pH at +10dKH...
> Does this sound reasonable?
>
> Also my tap water fluctuates between 0 phosphates to as much as 5ppm...
> It's well water. Any ideas? I seem to have a BGA bloom every time the
> phosphates in my tap water jump.
>
> I am interested in making batches of water for my water changes. I
> don't feel I have enough control over my water parameters now. The
> water conditions seem to be a little tough on the sword fry.
>
> Thanks for any info. I thought I have a grasp on this stuff already! :)
>
> My Aquaria info and liks at:
> http://www.geocities.com/spiral_72/Spirals_page.html
>
It sounds like your test kits are giving reasonable results. As for
water quality, pH 7.6 at 4dKH is pretty good. Your swords might
appreciate slightly harder, more alkaline water - you could put some
limestone or crushed coral in your tank if you don't have sof****er fish
in there too.

For the phosphates, is your baby tank planted or not? I remember your
big one is. For the plant tank, be sure there's plenty of other
nutrients so the plants outcompete the algae. High phosphate alone will
not cause an algae bloom. BGA has an advantage under conditions of
limiting nitrate because many species can fix nitrogen. If it's not
planted, you might want to consider something like Phos-sorb or Poly
Filter to remove the extra phosphate.

--
Elaine T __
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