KH

KH - Buffering capacity, temporary or carbonate hardness in the water.
Also known as 'total alkalinity' or 'acid-neutralizing capacity' (ANC) in some countries.

CO2: KH/PH Chart
By Giancarlo Podio
Aquarticles.com
PH is a result of carbonate hardness (KH) and CO2 concentration, meaning that we can calculate the amount of CO2 in a body of water by measuring KH and PH.

CO2/KH/PH Ratio
by cb77-at-namaste.cc.columbia.edu (Craig Bingman) (30 Jan 1994)
newbie chemistry 2nd try
by Wilson Angerson (Fri, 24 Feb 1995)
CO2 Tables
by booth-at-lvld.hp.com (George Booth) (14 Mar 1995)
Alkalinity ...

Usually KH changes are the result of changes to pH and GH. KH is buffering and there is no benefit or need to have low KH unless you are a fan of pH fluctuations.

KH - Carbonate Hardness. A measurement of the amount of dissolved carbonate and bi-carbonate ions in water. Expressed in degrees of hardness on the German scale (º dH). One degree of hardness equals 17.9 PPM. See Buffering Capacity.

KH=14
The following chart is a list of the salts most widely used in fish keeping. Some basic information is presented. The salts are characterized as "absolutely essential", just "essential" or listed for those who want the complete picture.
CaCO3 ...

A KH kit is, however, indispensable to plant enthusiasts who use CO2 injection.

KH - Carbonate Hardness
Ideal value = between 4-6 dKH in freshwater, 6-10 in saltwater
Acceptable range = pretty much the same ...

Note: GH, KH and pH form the Bermuda's Triangle of water chemistry. Although the three properties are distinct, they all interact with each other to varying degrees, making it difficult to adjust one without impacting the other.

Test the KH of the water that is used for your tank. If the KH is less than 3-4 degrees, or about 50+-70 ppm (1), you may need to supplement the alkalinity or carbonate/bicarbonate with addition of sodium bicarbonate, baking soda, ...

GH & KH RANGE AQUARIUM LIFE
0-50 ppm
Discus, arowanas, elephantnose, neons, cardinals, live plants ...

Twice a week KH buffer (salifert)
Twice a week calcium (salifert)
Once a week iodine (salifert)
Once a week magnesium (seachmen)
Once a week strontium (salifert)
Twice a week plankton (Two little fishes) ...

There are two types of water hardness: general hardness (GH) and carbonate hardness (KH). A third term commonly used is total hardness which is a combination of GH and KH.

Hardness: Aim for 8-10 KH and a little higher ideally for GH (Most aquarists think all Rift lakes are extremely hard water-This is not necessarily so) Aim for Harder end of scale to achieve regular spawning.
Temperature: 73-82 F (23-28 C) ...

0 and KH of 1.0-2.0. However, they will not tolerate dramatic changes to their environment. It is said by some that Neon tetras should be kept with at least six other (preferably ten others) of their kind, as they are considered "school fish".

The GH level should remain at 7 and the KH level should be between 10 and 12. Enclosures should allow rocks, pieces of clay flowerpots, and driftwood in order to allow Rusty Cichlids to hide and create territories.

You're right, you can get a general idea of CO2 levels from pH and KH (carbonate hardness). However this method is rough at best, since it assumes that there are no other acids or bases present in the aquarium.

0, dGH 4-6º, KH 2.8-4º, and 180-220 microSiemens EC or 117-143 ppm TDS. Glassworms were used by the author to bring the female into condition.

Anyways I was having trouble keeping the KH up. So I went and tested bullseye on a test gallon and then I added it with my fish to the tank. It came out PH 7.0 and KH of 10 in the test gallon. The tank came out with PH 7.

Soft clean water is required to get the fish to breed, KH below 1, temperature 22-29 degrees(the fish are easier to spawn at higher temperatures).

The water should be extremely soft(dGH 0-2, 0 KH)and acidic(pH below 5.0). Daily waterchanges combinedwith a varied diet (artemia, daphnia, cyclops, grindal worms) and peat filtered slow flowing water.

Concentrations of dissolved carbon dioxide are linked to pH and KH values, with the ideal pH range being 6.8 to 7.0, and a carbonate hardness (KH) value of 90mg/L (5dKH).

These same companies also make very good alkalinity/KH test kits. The reason that both of these measures need to be monitored is that if the calcium levels get high (over 500ppm), there is a tendency for the alkalinity to drop.

You can also add a number of powders and buffers into the water to give it back the GH and KH lost in the Ro process. There are many of these on the market and your aquatic dealer will be able to advise you.

One of the easier ways of increasing KH is to simply add a little Bicarbonate of Soda. Do not confuse this with Baking Soda though as this has additives in it which are not safe for tanks.

0 and a KH of 0.0 with the water temperature being around 70 ° to 78 °F. The reason why the temperatures are that low compared to the savannah habitats of B. smaragdina and B.

Some Sands will buffer the PH , some will buffer the GH/KH values , and some will buffer all of these at once...

When talking about CO2, KH is the hardness that is important. CO2 is not only important in the aquarium because plants need it to photosynthesize but also because of how it affects the pH of the water.

0, GH 12-20, KH 14-20
Feeding
In the wild, these fish are primarily piscivores (fish eaters). In the aquarium, this can be provided for with baitfish such as whitebait, lance fish, silversides etc, and mussel, prawn/shrimp, etc.

To find out test the GH, KH and PH of your water.
Whether you are lowering or raising your PH uses products that have a buffer in them. This will help you slowly and safely adjust your PH.

If your water pH changes suddenly, or drifts regularly over time, you should check the KH (Carbonate Hardness) of the water. Consult your local fish shop for KH testing, and for buffering compounds to stabilize the pH level.

I keep the smaller Nothobranchius species in breeding tanks of 30x20x20cm size (tap water pH 7.8, GH 22 and KH 18). These water specifications have emerged as optimal for most species. I feed (almost) exclusively frozen red mosquito larvae.

To encourage breeding, water hardness should be less than 4 KH. Live foods such as mosquito larvae are another great inducer. Be sure to remove the adult Black Neon Tetras after the eggs have been laid, as they will eat the eggs.

Being from a lake that has been unchanged for nearly 20 million years, it is no surprise they are sensitive to changes or deterioration in water chemistry. They do need a pH between 8.5to9.4 GH and KH are not as critical as pH as long as it is kept ...

5, KH:11-15 Temp: 76-80 F . Prepare tank with two or more rock piles for alpha male. Because alpha male may hurt other males if it owns only pile in tank. Advice : own 1 male 3 or 4 male proportion (ex. 2 m 8 f) ...

0, and the KH is 6 or so. To boost the latter a bit, I added perhaps a teaspoon of baking soda for every 20 liters of fresh water. I also used a few drops of water conditioner, to take the "edge" off the fresh water; all in all just tiny additions.

See also: Water, Fish, Aquarium, Plants, Species