Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have a new system, recently cycled. PH holding steady @ 6.3-6.4, but my KH is below the 4 dKH. I added small amounts of Potassium Carbonate and Calcium Carbonate hoping to increase my buffer but I am afraid I will raise the PH too much. Is there a way to increase dKH without increasing PH? Am I right in assuming that a good KH (4 or up) will help the system stabilize PH?

As always any help is greatly appreciated!!

-Matt O

Yes but the KH will keep getting pushed down along with the pH as part of the natural processes in AP. If you make the calcium carbonate removable that should help - Try placing a mesh bag with Calcium carbonate somewhere in the system so that you can get small continuous additions but it's all removable (paint strainer bags will work). If the pH goes up higher than you like, remove it from the system for awhile. This hopefully will reduce the need for you to adjust with other things as often.

Thanks, will the paint strainer bag hold the of Calcium Carbonate in powdered form or is there another solid?

You can probably find something like crushed coral or oyster shell at a aquarium supply/fish store. Lots of different forms of Calcium carbonate have a look at Wikipedia. There are different meshes of the nylon paint strainer bags as well but none of them would work with the powdered forms of calcium carbonate you need something slightly larger for the mesh bags.

Great, I'll give it a go.

Thanks again.