How can I lower my KH?

**FullMETAL** · 10-17-2010, 04:09 PM

So I've searched "high kh" in the forums for about an hour. I've found some good threads to increase my knowledge but nothing specific to my issue. I figure after an hour, I could retry this thread even if it's a redo.

So my understanding of GH and KH extends to this; Having a high KH is not necessarily a bad thing (if your pH levels are good), but my pH levels are about 8.2 out of the faucet. I've used pH DOWN by API products, but it doesn't do much because from what I found out, the high KH creates a stable/unmovable pH level... right? I guess there is a breaking point/buffer in the KH that has to be pasted for the pH DOWN to actually work.

So far, all my fish are getting by with this alkaline state, but I want to bring it down to 7.0 before adding more fish that might not be so hardy. Am I going to have to buy bottles and bottles of this stuff to break this KH down or is there a better alternative?

I've found threads on how to raise your KH, but this is not my problem. My KH level exceeds the table given to me with my kit to compare how many drops I used and what the levels are. The table only shows what my ppm GH/KH are at up to 12 drops (214.8). I have to add 17 drops!

KH = 17 'dKH / ppm = ???
pH remains stable at 8.2

I've dosed my tank 3 times with pH DOWN and nothing has happened, so I'm in a holding pattern now.

Any experience would be appreciated. Thanks everyone!

**Fishguy2727** · 10-17-2010, 05:28 PM

Water quality is a lot more important than certain water parameters. By this I mean that if at the pH/KH your water quality is high then you shouldn't see any major problems. Once fish are acclimated to this higher pH/KH they will do well as long as you keep up the water quality with water changes.

You really only have two options. One is to accept the pH/KH you have and work with it. The second is to start using RO water as part of the water you do water changes with. This will dilute everything in the water including the KH which will allow the pH to drop. However, I think that in this situation it is easier, but more importantly safer, to leave it as is. Even tetras, angels, discus, plecos, etc. will all do well in this water as long as you keep the water quality up.

**domjd05** · 10-17-2010, 05:36 PM

I would rather have a stable PH of 8.2 than a chemically altered -never know whats going to happen- lower PH. Keep in mind, WILD caught fish will benefit from having the PH parameters they are described as having in the wild. Fish bred in farms or wherever are generally raised in PH neutral water, and once they've acclimated to your parameters, as long as those parameters are stable, they'll be OK.

There are some exceptions, such as discus and some Tanganyikans, but even those have more of a tolerance range than you'd expect.

If you are dead set on lowering it, RO system would be the way to go, then you'd chemically have to build your water back up.

**FullMETAL** · 10-17-2010, 05:42 PM

Thanks for the response Fishguy! Disclaimer: I won't hold your answer against you.

So would you say that I could bring other fish into this aquarium, keep up my water changes, make sure the water is safe for them, and they will be fine? Maybe I'm just overloading myself with too much information about certain fish and their desired pH levels?

I just want to be able to create the best possible enviroment for the fish I get into my aquarium. I'm finding alot of joy in watching my fish play and swim. I know that nothing is perfect, but I'd like to be able to maintain a healthy freshwater aquarium for a couple years and begin moving unto saltwater aquariums. From what I have read and heard they are much more touchy than FW.

*edit* Thanks domjd!

**Fishguy2727** · 10-17-2010, 06:05 PM

I think you are safe. I don't even test pH in freshwater anymore because with few exceptions it doesn't matter.

It is possible to get too caught up with the numbers on kits and forget to just watch the fish. I do think that long term problems are easy to overlook by saying the fish look fine, but in my experience that applies more to nutrition and water quality than pH.

Saltwater is more expensive, but if you set it up right most people find it easier than freshwater.

**Scrup** · 10-17-2010, 06:40 PM

To lower your KH is easy btw. Put your tank on the floor.

Decreasing it however...I wouldn't worry about, I agree with the advice above. If that's what is coming out of your tap, best to adapt to it since it will be one thing you cannot change easily.

I would ask what the LFS's water looks like and maybe setup a drip acclimation system if you plan on getting any more fish anytime soon. Will make the transition quite a bit easier.

**FullMETAL** · 10-18-2010, 03:24 PM

LOL Scrup!

Yeah, I just read about the drip acclimation about a week ago and used it on my tetras. So far so good! Thanks everyone for the help!

*edit* For any beginner who didn't notice the big red sticky about drip acclimation and has high KH like myself... here's the thread: http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...ad.php?t=62211