starting hypo?

[socalracer]

got my refractometer and am about to start hypo, i was wondering if i can use baking soda as the ph buffer or if this is not a good idea? their aren't any close fish stores to go to. how much do ia add, im doing hypo in my 100g DT. thanks

 

[lion_crazz]

Baking soda will raise the kH of the water, not the pH. That is okay though, because kH is the buffering capacity of the water. The higher the kH the less of a chance you will incur a pH swing. Do you have a kH test kit? You will need this in order use the baking soda.
One teaspoon of baking soda added to 13 gallons (50 liters) of water can raise the kH of the water by 4 dkH.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by socalracer
got my refractometer and am about to start hypo, i was wondering if i can use baking soda as the ph buffer or if this is not a good idea? their aren't any close fish stores to go to. how much do ia add, im doing hypo in my 100g DT. thanks
What is your source water's PH?
One teaspoon of baking soda added to 13 gallons (50 liters) of water can raise the kH of the water by 4 dkH.
darn lion_crazz is good!

 

[socalracer]

not really sure ill test and post tommorow also i do not have a kH test.......

 

[socalracer]

what will be the easiest way to keep my ph stable during hypo?

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by socalracer
what will be the easiest way to keep my ph stable during hypo?
Where are you doing hypo and what ph is your source water? Your KH will tell you what the buffering capacity is of your water. In other words the reading of your KH will tell you if the water is able to keep the ph high or not. If the KH is low then you will need to pick up a buffer. If you are hypoing the DT then your sand might (depending on what sand you have) buffer the water for you.

 

[lion_crazz]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
Where are you doing hypo and what ph is your source water? Your KH will tell you what the buffering capacity is of your water. In other words the reading of your KH will tell you if the water is able to keep the ph high or not. If the KH is low then you will need to pick up a buffer. If you are hypoing the DT then your sand might (depending on what sand you have) buffer the water for you.
Correct. At this point in time, I would strongly recommend that you order a kH test kit. This site sells an excellent one (I would recommend Salifert's).

 

[socalracer]

im h doing hypo in my DT and i have about a 3.5 inch sand bed it is seachem grey coast.

 

[socalracer]

i am using water out of the RO machines outside of the grocery store (Ro, UV sterilized, filtered etc....)

 

[lion_crazz]

Originally Posted by socalracer
i am using water out of the RO machines outside of the grocery store (Ro, UV sterilized, filtered etc....)
Yep, judging by your water source, you will almost definitely need a pH/kH test kit and appropriate buffer.

 

[socalracer]

thanks, i wish i would have known this before my internet order.........what does Kh stand for?

 

[socalracer]

Kh stands for alkanity correct? i do have a test kit for it i just didn't know the abbreviation. so what are normal parameters in a avg. tank? and what do they need to stay at when i begin dropping the salinity?

 

[lion_crazz]

Karbonat Haerte (German) which translates to Carbonate Hardness in English.

 

[lion_crazz]

kH is another way to measure alkalinity, yes. Does your test measure in ppm or meq/l?

 

[socalracer]

meq/l....1 meq/l equals 2.8 Kh? what normal parameters and paremeters during lowering salinity should i be looking for?

 

[socalracer]

alkalinity is about 3.5

 

[socalracer]

so once i start hypo at what level of ALK would i need to buffer