My KH reads 0, GH 1, out of the tap. I was wondering if it would be good to use a product such as "RO Right" mentioned on this forum. It is specifically for reverse-osmosis treated water, but I am wondering if it would be useful for my water, too?

Is this healthy for the fish as well, in addition to helping with stabilizing pH? And would it be good for plants? Thanks for any info you can share.

I see no reason why you couldn't use RO Right for your tap water. According to the product description, it is designed to increase gH and kH. It doesn't add anything harmful to the water, but adds various minerals that one usually wants in aquarium water. You could also try crushed coral (search the forum, there's lots of info), but I'm not sure if it has all the minerals you need. A lot of people use crushed coral to increase kH.

Also, what kind of test kit are you using? Are you using stick tests or drop tests? Drop tests are far more accurate.

Hi A_Penguin,

There you are again, answering my questions! It's so good you're here! I think I'll get some RO right. I want my fishes to grow large and happy!

I have drop test kits that I use, but my current chlorine test is a a powder. I'm actually wondering if a better/cheaper place to get chlorine tests is a pool supply store. The lfs doesn't carry chlorine tests, except in a kit. Even the chlorine/chloramine test kit I ordered is a test strip - the only one I could find anywhere, even on-line.

Also, I have been experimenting with crushed coral in a separate tank that I use for water changes. Here's my little DIY project:
Take mesh from fabric store, make long tube by sewing a strip of it with fishing line (which won't disintegrate) and add crushed coral to tube. Tie ends of tube together making a ring, and sling it over the filter. That way the filter 's waterfall drops water onto and through the bag.

Previously, when I just added a bag of crushed coral to the bottom of the tank, it didn't do much. But with the water passing through it from the filter/waterfall, it works kind of fast! I am trying to determine the right amount of crushed coral in the bag, to get the pH to a reasonable level, and not get too high.

Thanks again for your interest and help. Any other suggestions are most welcome!

Now I am learning about Koi Clay. That sounds like it adds good minerals, too, and it's widely used. They say it enhances the color of the goldfish - I wonder, will it will make my white goldfish turn pink?

Hmm, turn pink eh? I think only a diet excessive in shrimp would do that. It's possible that white fish could break out in calico, however!

Then I would have to change her name to "Spot" !

Buff it Up by Goldfishconnection is the greatest KH and PH buffer I have found. My KH was so low that my Ph was crashing and I lost a fish from this. Couldnt figure out why this was happening since my GH is so hard so I talked to Rick Hess and found out my KH was being consumed and was making the Ph go down. Now when I do a water chang in the tank I add the buff it up and the Ph and KH stabilizes.

I had coral in the tank and it only moved the KH alittle bit. And I was putting bakingsoda in the tank every day to keep the PH up. With this new stuff I only have to add it to the tank with a water change and then forget it

I did get some Buff It Up, and I'll be checking to see how it's working. I'd love to see my KH register more than 1 or 2. Really, it's that low.

Thanks Koko!

your welcome. that stuff is amazing