Help KH alkalinity is low

[serena00]

My KH is literally around 10....in all my tanks. How do I raise it?


36g semi-aggressive
20g community
5.5g betta/ghost shrimp
3g betta
2g fry

 

[Rpeinhardt]

10 ppm (or about half a degree), I'm assuming?

Crushed coral. About a quarter-cup or so per 10 gallons in a filter sock will last a long time.

 

[serena00]

10 ppm (or about half a degree), I'm assuming?

Crushed coral. About a quarter-cup or so per 10 gallons in a filter sock will last a long time.

Oh really? Crushed coral just does everything huh?


36g semi-aggressive
20g community
10g betta, nano fish, shrimp
3g betta

 

[Rpeinhardt]

Well, it'll add carbonate and bicarbonate which will bring your KH up to around 5 or 6 dKH. At least, that's what it has done for me.

 

[serena00]

Will that be too fast of a change?


36g semi-aggressive
20g community
10g betta, nano fish, shrimp
3g betta

 

[Caliban07]

Will that be too fast of a change?


36g semi-aggressive
20g community
10g betta, nano fish, shrimp
3g betta

Usually, when your kh is low your ph is low. The stronger the acidity the water the faster the crushed coral will dissolve and the faster the kh will rise. As kh rises the ph will rise meaning less acidity and slower erosion of the crushed coral and the kh will start to Peter out until a balance it achieved with ph. It is by no means a rapid process. Your fish will be fine.


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