Shell Canister
Question:
One of these days I'm going to write chemistry for pH, KH and GH and perhaps recall, over time. But now new tips. I have many good suggestions in my mbuna tank fairly new and so far it has been doing very well, but something is wrong with my water. My tap water comes out to about 7.6 pH. I have about 30 pounds of rock drilled currently exist. But for some reason my pH seems to be falling. Are now approaching 7.2
My GH is still high of 200 or so, but my kH has also started from about 120 currently to just under 80. Nitrates are between 10 and 20. 0-0 on the bad things. I am doing 30-40% water changes weekly. I have 16 gallons of 55 fish between 1 1 / 2 and 3 ". You may need a reminder about the water chemistry or could be my "mystery" substrate. Along with some gravel so small that I used in the tanks of many without apparent detriment, I might also have 15 # of things I was given some time ago with my first cichlids, a small tank, so I have no idea what it is, but she said it was "supposed to is good for aquarium plants. "It is about 1 / 3 each of black, red brick and tan stone. Although relatively small as they are smaller chips of rounded pebbles - very jagged and rough around the edges. Then again, can not be at all. Any ideas?
Thank you.
Answer:
There are probably producing a somewhat heavier than the normal amount of acid production. Nitrification occurring acids (acid nitric), and if you have a large amount of organic accumulation may be part of his reason.
What are the filter (s)? Some filters, like large cartridge filters can produce a large amount of acid if not cleaned (washed) regularly. If you have an under gravel filter, be sure to stir from time then lift the tubes and siphon mulm that accumulates under the plate. With all the filters is still important to eliminate much mulm and other organic debris as possible, a vacuum of Aquarius is the preferred way.
As for his KH & GH, am a big fan of KH and maintain adequate levels of calcium many reasons, one of them is that the problem is, the other is that GH is the easy way to find calcium levels in FW, and calcium is very important for fish health. Crushed coral or aragonite can help, but in my experience (especially in Upper aquariums pH and African cichlid tanks) are not always adequate, since no dissolve fast enough to deliver adequate amounts of bicarbonates, magnesium or calcium for KH and GH.
In the closed environment to an aquarium is, I think that the external sources which are dissolved or are manually added are often necessary. There are many products available from = "http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Seachem.html href "target =" _blank "> Mar Chem Marine Buffer which can be used in fresh water (especially for Rift cichlids) and is preferable to sodium bicarbonate because of the balance of sodium bicarbonate and magnesium and other trace elements, to wonder deposits know others here who advocate a lot of.
At the risk of being too commercial, my tanks shelled regularly rarely Wonder to control calcium and electrolytes.
On the substrate plant that gave this Sounds like a product such as full or Azoo Eco Plant Growers bed to lower its pH.
I have an article on KH, calcium and electrolytes: target = "_blank"> "CALCIUM, KH, and magnesium in aquariums; How to maintain an adequate KH, why calcium and electrolytes are important."
My point in mentioning GH was that calcium and magnesium is part of the GH and
both are needed for proper osmotic processes in fish. If there KH problems, many times no problems with GH (although in this case there appears to be a problem). The problem here too organic decomposition indicates reducing KH .. Once again I want to build filters check too. When I went to aquariums customers experiencing this problem many times had a filter with a thick layer of mulch at the bottom. The elimination of this, then add a stabilizer KH (I had better results with a
stabilizing solution slow KH), and resolved the problem.
For the article, including pictures, please visit this link:
= "Http://aquarium-answers.blogspot.com/2006/09/ph-and-kh-problems-in-african-cichlid.html href "target =" _blank ">" pH and KH problems in African Cichlid Aquarium
About the Author:
By Carl Strohmeyer
http://aquarium-info.blogspot.com/
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Question and Answer About Ph and Kh Problems in an African Cichlid Aquarium
Shell Canister
Shell Canister
