No More KH+ - Please Advise

[PrettyFishies]

I've been using Kent's KH+ product to raise my KH from 3dKH to 5dKH.
I've just been told that they have decided to discontinue that product line.

What can I use to safely raise my KH w/o affecting the PH?

 

[Jchillin]

I've seen Seachem's Alkaline Buffer recommended quite often.

 

[PrettyFishies]

Says it raises PH & KH.... I don't want to raise my PH.

Anyone use Arm+Hammer bicarbonate?

 

[rkilling1]

There is NO way to increase your KH without changing your pH. The KH is what buffers your pH.

 

[PrettyFishies]

So, the Kent KH+ was raising my PH??

OK... so can I just keep the KH at 3 and raise my Co2?

 

[sherry]

no reason to mess iwth your kh at all.. use a drop checker to measure co2 and enjoy the plants you can grow in soft water!

 

[PrettyFishies]

So what if my KH is 2dKH?

I did my weekly water change and got a 2dKH reading. With that, I'd have to lower the PH to 6.4 to get to 30ppm.

 

[rich311k]

My KH is maybe 1. I just add the CO2 to keep the drop checker green. My fish are fine and I have had no great PH/CO2 disasters.

 

[An t-iasg]

I like to keep my KH at 4 dh (tap is 3). I add Seachem's Alkalinity Buffer to raise my KH slightly. I use 1/4 teaspoon once a week in a 10 gallon so far - I'm still finding the right dosage. So far this is working out. Adding the Seachem buffer will raise your pH. Like rkilling1 says, you can't raise KH without raising pH. I saw my pH value rise from 6.8 to 6.9 when I added the buffer. I then adjusted the black knob on the meter to set it at 6.7, and the solonoid turned on.