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Softer water equals higher pH?

2K views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  Andyandsue 
#1 ·
I pick up peat least night to put in my filter since my water is very hard and I want to soften it a bit. With the gH going down, does that mean that my pH will rise a bit? Right now it's a 6.0 and I would feel more confortable if it was a little higher but really don't want to use chemicals or really sure if I want to even play with it since the fish are fine. Tell me if I'm wrong but the kH is the stabilizer for pH. How will lowering the gH effect the pH? Will the peat bring my kH down also? Right now that's stilling a 0. Yes, my pH is 6.0, gH is over 300ppm and kH is 0.
 
#4 ·
My goal is to use/do something that would do both at the same time if that's even possible. How much coral would have have to use to raise it up to say 7.0 and how would I control the reaction of coral in the water that it didn't keep increasing the ph?
 
#5 ·
Holly said:
My goal is to use/do something that would do both at the same time if that's even possible. How much coral would have have to use to raise it up to say 7.0 and how would I control the reaction of coral in the water that it didn't keep increasing the ph?
Trial and error. Ad small amounts, wait a few days, test, add another small amount, wait a few days, test etc until you gte i how you want. a few days should be enough that it eon't keep rising after you test.
 
#6 ·
how long does the coral last before it starts breaking down and more need to be added to maintain stability?
 
#7 ·
Holly said:
how long does the coral last before it starts breaking down and more need to be added to maintain stability?
I have no idea as to an actual figure, but it will be a good number of years anyway. Perhaps 5? This is assuming you have a substrate of coral. If you have small bags of it then it will be much less. When you do your weekly, or fortnightly tets you will be abl to see if it is dropping anyway as it will certainly last longer than fortnightly tests.
 
#8 ·
I've just started with the coral. I can see that it's breaking down when I clean the gravel.

I've been told that the coral only raises the ph to a certain point and then maintains at that level. What it is, I don't know. The last time I checked the ph it was at 7.6.

I also heard from another forum member that they added 1/2 cup every month.

It sounds like trial and error.

Good luck!
 
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