KH n PH

[farne230]

I live in a hard water area with GH/KH above 300ppm and PH8.5 and above. I added the water softener to reduce the GH and it did but no effect I can tell on PH or KH. I too would like a lower PH without adding chemicals, but I am afraid the only way that may happen is if I add a RO unit which will also reduce tds and kh. Very wastefull and expensive to maintain. I have noted the tap water is over 300ppm (KH/GH/PH7.8) but the pond filtration system lowers the KH and GH to about 200 and the softener w/charcoal may have helped and brought KH to 143ppm, not sure.
Bob

[j_iwanto]

Hey,

I just tested my KH... it takes 9 drops to turn green., 162ppm. I suppose that is moderate hardness?

[KoiCop]

Originally Posted by j_iwanto

Hey,

I just tested my KH... it takes 9 drops to turn green., 162ppm. I suppose that is moderate hardness?

Yes, you're correct.

[Auntiesue]

Originally Posted by farne230

I live in a hard water area with GH/KH above 300ppm and PH8.5 and above. I added the water softener to reduce the GH and it did but no effect I can tell on PH or KH. I too would like a lower PH without adding chemicals, but I am afraid the only way that may happen is if I add a RO unit which will also reduce tds and kh. Very wastefull and expensive to maintain. I have noted the tap water is over 300ppm (KH/GH/PH7.8) but the pond filtration system lowers the KH and GH to about 200 and the softener w/charcoal may have helped and brought KH to 143ppm, not sure.
Bob

Bob I cannot comment totally on your combination system, but I do know that with my water softener my KH has not changed. Only my GH was lowered. That was my only goal. I discovered after lowering the GH to below 100ppm that my PH then dropped. It is possible that the GH needs to be below 100ppm to have any effect on the PH, if at all. I only know of a few folks personally (I'm sure there are more out there) that have had similar results once the GH dropped below 100ppm. Have you gotten to below 100 ppm yet. Sorry, I didn't go back and read the earlier posts again. I'm in Orlando and on battery power which may not last long tonight.

Sue

[farne230]

Good to hear from you Sue. I have changed out 3,500 gallons now since 2/21/08 when the softener went into service. I love it, no more adding de-chlorinate. The GH is 107.4, KH is 161.1ppm and PH is very stable, morning 8.4 afternoon 8.6 and ORP has been up steady over 240 to a high 298. Water very clear, my 6.5 year old three step kohaku hi is still light along the scale edges, not sure if this is age or what. I still plan on dropping to about 74ppm or a little lower, will see what happens. I believe the biological increase with longer sunshine and warm temps will cause the KH to drop faster and lower compared to winter and fall. My KH lows last winter were 125ppm and last fall 107.4 fall with weekly water changes-interesting (seams a good way to judge balance changes in bio and filter production, based on how these values run. It is great learning water quality of your own pond.

BoB

[Auntiesue]

"Some" also feel that silicates (Koi Clay) in the water aids in stabilizing color especially the reds. You might also try adding some clay to the sytem on a regular basis and see if that helps. I remember reading some comments on the NI board some time ago about this. Evidently it's the silicate content the aids in this. I use clay all the time. Sure doesn't hurt and it's cheap enough.

[farne230]

My only concern with adding a clay is what happens to my filters. I run bakki showers with bakki media, and an alpha bead. I would hate for it to accumulate in the bottoms of my BS, for now I do not have a way to remove them for cleaning.

Sue have you given any thought to RO or ozone yet?
Bob

[MikeM]

I would not expect the clay to build-up in the bottom of a bakki shower due to the volume of water and the ease with which the clay is disturbed. If it did build-up, so would mulm. The clay would be preferable to mulm. ...In my pond the clay settles out in the vortex, but does not seem to be as much as gets added. I am sure it is also captured in the carpet algae, but it is not visible.

[j_iwanto]

Hey,

What is the best way to increase the KH(Alkalinity)? Baking soda, oyster shell that is put in the filter where the water flows by?

Pau

[Auntiesue]

Originally Posted by MikeM

I would not expect the clay to build-up in the bottom of a bakki shower due to the volume of water and the ease with which the clay is disturbed. If it did build-up, so would mulm. The clay would be preferable to mulm. ...In my pond the clay settles out in the vortex, but does not seem to be as much as gets added. I am sure it is also captured in the carpet algae, but it is not visible.

Mike, that has been my experience. I have a fluid bed and bakki towers on my ponds and use clay extensively (weekly) and I have not seen any build up at all. I think you are likely right in that the increased water flow through both doesn't allow the clay to settle.

Bob, to answer your question about ozone or RO. Nope, with my system now, I don't seem to need either. The only gadget I'm considering adding this summer is the protein skimmer that the Batemans are using. That seems to be really working for them. I think by adding that one additional feature, I'll be as happy as I can be with my ponds.

Do I dare say I might then be DONE building my ponds? Oooooo, the thought of it all!!!

Sue