I don't use RO, but, if you add any dKH, the answer is always going to be ~pH8. This is because it is the pH value is set by the carbonate ~ CO2 ~ pH equilibrium, when CO2 levels are at ~415ppm.For those people who use RO water + remineralizers, what resulting water pH do you get?
That would be my suggestion, pH is a bit of a movable feast, but conductivity (or TDS) are much more straightforward.Never measure the ph though just the tds.
I use Ca:Mg 3:1.Hi Folks,
For those people who use RO water + remineralizers, what resulting water pH do you get?
I just hope that I'm not the only one who uses RO water!
Any and all feedback very welcome!
JPC
Hi Darrel (@dw1305)I don't use RO, but, if you add any dKH, the answer is always going to be ~pH8. This is because it is the pH value is set by the carbonate ~ CO2 ~ pH equilibrium, when CO2 levels are at ~415ppm.
Probably start with RO and don't add any carbonate hardness (dKH)? I'd guess @Roland is <"the person you need to talk to">, as he seems to have mastered the art of growing "difficult" (not for him) <"soft water plants">.So, if I want to achieve a water pH that would be more suited to my plants (say, pH=6), what's the best way to do it?
Hi @Alex PappI'm studying pH at the moment at school and it is very confusing.
Hi Darrel,Probably start with RO and don't add any carbonate hardness (dKH)? I'd guess @Roland is <"the person you need to talk to">, as he seems to have mastered the art of growing "difficult" (not for him) <"soft water plants">.
Hi Darrel,
Does that mean that most people don't grow soft water plants? Reading Ecology of the Planted Aquarium*, I was under the impression that most people grow soft water plants. No?
* Diana Walstad
JPC
Hi @Nick pottsIs there a reason for wanting to know?
Hi @Nick pottsMost soft water plants will do fine in harder water, there are some species that do better in soft water such as Tonina species (which Roland is very good at growing), but it doesn't mean you can't grow them in harder water.
Does that mean that most people don't grow soft water plants?
I think it is probably the same as for fish, most popular plants will grow in hard or soft water. That is why they are popular they tend to grow, rather than die, when you put them in the tank.I was under the impression that most people grow soft water plants
Hi @Nick potts
Yes, rightly or wrongly, I am led to believe that most aquarium plants grow best at a pH of 6 - 7. Please take a look at:
Is pH important in a planted aquarium ?
What is pH? Does it matter in a planted aquarium and what range is a good target if so ? This page explains what pH reading means to your planted tank setup.www.2hraquarist.com
JPC
To this end, it is KH stability that matters much more in aquariums rather than pH stability. With the stability of the later (pH) being important only as an indication of stability of the former (KH).
Why all the emphasis on pH then?
It is more an effect of historical precedence than anything else; pH is easy to test for and understand, while testing for KH requires titration. With the improved understanding of today's science, we should shift our emphasis more onto paying attention to KH rather than pH because that is what ultimately affects livestock/plants.
...most popular plants will grow in hard or soft water.
...pH is largely irrelevant in the context of growing plants in an aquarium.
Hi Gareth (@Wookii)
And, yet, the loud-and-clear message on A N Other reputable forum places a lot of importance specifically on water pH. I realize that it would be easy to say - well, they've got it wrong. And, the 2HR Aquarist recommends a pH range from 6 to 7. Furthermore, @Christel recently said "The emersed plants are in a heavily fertilized nutrient solution (I once measured over 1000 µS/cm a few years ago). The pH will be acid so that the nutrients can be absorbed". Please see:
Using Peat To Lower Water pH
Spraying is definitely only done with very soft water, because otherwise the lime blocks the nozzles. The emersed plants are in a heavily fertilized nutrient solution (I once measured over 1000 µS/cm a few years ago). The pH will be acid so that the nutrients can be absorbed. But exact...www.ukaps.org
So, I'm confused.
JPC
Would one of the admins - @Tim Harrison and/or @LondonDragon please confirm the above?You can link to and name other forum sources John, there's no rule against it on UKAPS.
Hi Gareth (@Wookii)
And, yet, the loud-and-clear message on A N Other reputable forum places a lot of importance specifically on water pH. I realize that it would be easy to say - well, they've got it wrong. And, the 2HR Aquarist recommends a pH range from 6 to 7. Furthermore, @Christel recently said "The emersed plants are in a heavily fertilized nutrient solution (I once measured over 1000 µS/cm a few years ago). The pH will be acid so that the nutrients can be absorbed". Please see:
Using Peat To Lower Water pH
Spraying is definitely only done with very soft water, because otherwise the lime blocks the nozzles. The emersed plants are in a heavily fertilized nutrient solution (I once measured over 1000 µS/cm a few years ago). The pH will be acid so that the nutrients can be absorbed. But exact...www.ukaps.org
So, I'm confused.
JPC