So I just wanted to make sure that I understand water correctly. I asked this question at my LFS and the response was "to use RO water", which I think, based on what I have read here, is not necessarily correct. I am just wanting to write out what I think to ensure that I have understood water chemistry!
Tank details:
22:00 (6 hours post photoperiod)
12:00 (8 Hours post photoperiod)
Sorry for the information overload! I like measuring
Firstly, I have read that I should aim for a pH drop of 1 during the CO2 phase. With a higher kH buffering this pH change, is that required or even achievable? Based on the degassed pH I am achieving a drop, but it seems like I am not in the middle of the night. I have bought an airstone and was thinking of having this on for maybe 3 hours from 1-4 a.m to add in oxygen and potentially agitate off some C02. Does this sound correct?
Based on the JBL test strips (I am not sure how accurate those are, I backed up the KH measurements with an API test solution however and they correlated). I think I have an adequate c02 bubble rate (I could possibly go a little higher to get to 35). The livestock seems to tolerate this level currently. Would you increase the c02 flow rate? Since increasing plant stocking levels, fert dosing, changing to Tapwater, and upping CO2 based on this forum advice my plant situation is already VASTLY improved even though it has only been 4-5 days.
Finally, is having a high tank kH likely to impact livestock and plants? I have read that SOME livestock can have issues, but not what I currently have.
Tank details:
- 90L
- C02 Injection - Added in the back compartment.
- Photoperiod - 6 hours (12pm to 6pm)
- CO2 Period - 7 hours (10 am to 5 pm)
- Fertilizers being done with alternate day liquid macro/mico - awaiting EI kit.
- WATER SUPPLIER - Total Hardness/kH - 335mg/l (18.75 kH)
- WATER SUPPLIER - Alkalinity - 235 mgHCO3/l
- WATER SUPPLIER - pH - 7.3
- TAPWATER - Total Hardness/kH 214.32 (12 kH)
- TAPWATER - pH - 7
22:00 (6 hours post photoperiod)
- TANKWATER - kH 8 kH
- TANKWATER - pH 7.0
12:00 (8 Hours post photoperiod)
- TANKWATER - kH - 9
- TANKWATER - ph - 7.0
- TANKWATER - C02 - 20 mg/L
- TANKWATER - kH - 10
- TANKWATER - pH - 7
- TANKWATER - C02 - 30 mg/L
Sorry for the information overload! I like measuring
Firstly, I have read that I should aim for a pH drop of 1 during the CO2 phase. With a higher kH buffering this pH change, is that required or even achievable? Based on the degassed pH I am achieving a drop, but it seems like I am not in the middle of the night. I have bought an airstone and was thinking of having this on for maybe 3 hours from 1-4 a.m to add in oxygen and potentially agitate off some C02. Does this sound correct?
Based on the JBL test strips (I am not sure how accurate those are, I backed up the KH measurements with an API test solution however and they correlated). I think I have an adequate c02 bubble rate (I could possibly go a little higher to get to 35). The livestock seems to tolerate this level currently. Would you increase the c02 flow rate? Since increasing plant stocking levels, fert dosing, changing to Tapwater, and upping CO2 based on this forum advice my plant situation is already VASTLY improved even though it has only been 4-5 days.
Finally, is having a high tank kH likely to impact livestock and plants? I have read that SOME livestock can have issues, but not what I currently have.