Hi Both my tanks have now cycled and in one of them the KH goes down 1ppm per day but PH is stable at 7.2-7.4 I have 0 ammonia 0 nitrites and 5 nitrates. I have not done any water changes during this dropping of readings.

Hi,

I think dropping of KH is OK, I suppose it shows your tank is working

Just keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't drop so far as to affect pH. If it does, you may need to buffer it with baking soda.

BTW, what is your KH after a water change and from the tap?

Do post back.

Slugger

Oops: I forgot to add that KH will drop because of the microbes in your filter doing their business. What kind and how many fish do you keep in each tank?

KH out of tap is 2ppm but ther was no water changes during the drop. Kh does drop about 2-3 ppm after a 50% water change



I have two 3 inch Black knife ghosts two Angels and four chinese algae eaters which are about 1 inch long it looks like I have an empty tank cause everybody hides from me. In my other tank I have 2 redcaps and 1 lionhead 6 small Danio and 4 Golden Algae eaters. The KH and PH in this tank stays stable. It cycled about 5 days ago. The first one finished cycling about 3 days before that.

Well,

You didn't say which tank was experiencing a drop, so I'd guess your goldfish are causing the drop in KH, which is understandable because they poop and pee so much. From my reading, the nitrogen cycle is an acidic process, so pH will eventually be dragged down, expecially if there is a lot of ammonia to process.

Your KH from the tap is pretty low, so I'd expect your pH to drop with time. You definitely don't want this to happen.

Are you using any KH/pH buffers? How does the pH of the tank compare to tap water? Does it differ before and after water changes?

If you aren't already using a pH/KH buffer, I'd suggest you add a level teaspoon of baking soda per 20g of tank water. Mix it with the tank water before pouring it in.

Do post back with your findings.

Slugger

sorry to hear you having KH probs too
I am aswell
Mine is so low its redicioulious

I agree with what was posted about the baking soda
I use it
the baking soda will raise ph and only buffer to a degree
having the KH up there is better.
but keep testing!

aparently crushed oyster shellls or coral can raise KH in your tank
see if you can buy some
Once you do, place it in a stocking or pantyhose and place it near the current
It disolves slowely so test everyday to see how much it rises


I hope you find some!

The one with the ghosts in has the sudden drop.




The PH stays stable just KH drops

I have started to use Baking Soda to the water I change with before adding it. Which does appear to keep it steady or sometimes raise it but it still drops after one or two days. I forgot to say I have 3 apple snails in the tank as well and I am worried there shells will go soft in low KH water. I will be moving the little guys into a 4' tank soon ( currently 2.5') so I will see into getting some crushed coral. Meanwhile On the next water change I will observe a little closer. Thanks

Are the ghosts big fish and poop a lot? I am a little puzzled on your KH drop. Do you have any driftwood in your tank? That will affect KH and pH.

Slugger

Sorry so long in my reply My wife has been very sick and I have been at the hospital most nights. The ghosts are about 3 inches long and I have one piece of driftwood in the tank. Since my last post on KH dropping it has now somehow become stable. Thanks again and sorry for being so long

Sorry to hear of your wife's illness and I hope she gets better soon.

Slugger

I appreciate your thoughts yes she is fine now thank you

Hi, Intermouse - So glad to hear that your wife is feeling better!

Just thought I would point out DataGuru's handy-dandy baking soda calculator!
http://dataguru.org/misc/aquarium/calKH.asp

Would love to see your "ghost" tank!