Re: conductivity= water quality explained now KH

[David Sanchez <barbax2@yahoo.com>]

Hello again. I have been very encouraged by the
responses. I sure hope people are not afraid to say
something for fear of "flames". I would like to
encourage the newcomers to contribute. Even if yuo
dont have the complete answer.

Well now to your problem Teresa. I hate to ask for
more information but it seems you do have some
possable contaminant that is causing your KH and thus
your pH to remain high. I reccomend buying some
Muriatic acid. If you pour Muriatic acid over
something and it foams then we know there are hardness
inducing coumpounds present. Once we are sure there
are none we can procede. One way to check is to do the
exact same thing with a tank next to your breeding
tank but have it barebottom. See if the values for pH
and KH come back the same. The key to lowering pH as
many have alluded to is to get a reading of 0 KH we
should get this from our RO or DI or rainwater or
whatever we are using. If not we have to lower it.
Since you are using Distilled water. I reccomend using
maybe 4 gallons ditilled, 5.5 gallons RO ( you ccan
buy RO water at most grocery stores these days from a
machine they have outside or from most petshops) and
then say a half a gallon of tap water. Again testing
is critical. But until you have a reading of 0 KH you
will fight with your pH. Use peat, oak leaves to lower
your KH and pH. Once you have a 0 KH the only chemical
product I reccomend , because i have used it with
success, is Kent pH minus. Yes it does add some
phosphates and organics but your only using like a
pinch to a 10 gallon tank. If you moniter water
quality as you should the effect is negligable.
Another great product is Muriatic acid. But you have
to have a pH meter to use it as only a few drops can
make a major effect. I have given you the choices of
the pH minus and the Muriat acid because they work.
However I would first go with oak leaves or peat 
mother natures natural pH and KH reducer. Teresa once
you find whats in your tanks that causing your KH to
stay high then we will be able to lower your KH and
then Lower your pH. Use the muriatic acid to test.
Especialy on your substrate. This problem happned to a
friend of mine a couple of years back. He found out it
was the sand he was using for his aquaruims. One last
note teresa get rid of the rubber pleco he will eat
your eggs!. I hope you are not turned off by you
temporary setback. I am confident you will have baby
Rams if you follow these guidlines. Good luck


Dave



> Hi Teresa I don't want you to think I forgot about
> you. I have had a very busy weekend. 
> I will answer your question later tonight. Just need
> to get some things done. Some of the folks who have
> already responded have added some great input as
> well.
> Talk to you all soon.
> 
> Dave
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- TD7894@aol.com wrote:
> > Hello, thank you for responding.  These are the
> > parameters that I could get 
> > on my softest tank.  This is the one with the
> rams. 
> > This tank has nine parts 
> > distilled water to one part tap.  ph= 7.6  kh= 30
> > PPM  gh= 60 PPM
> > 
> > These are the parameters of my tap water right out
> > of the tap.  Ph= 7.6 kh 60 
> > PPM gh=140 PPM.  
> > 
> > All of my tanks have a pH of 7.6 no matter what
> the
> > mix is.  I can't change 
> > it.  Strangely enough, I have a pair of rams in
> > straight tap and they lay 
> > eggs also but I never see fry or wigglers.  It
> could
> > be water or the rubber 
> > head pleco : ).   I hope you can advise me. 
> Surely
> > I am not doomed to keep 
> > only the easy fish.  Do you think an airhead can
> > figure out to hook up and 
> > operate and RO unit?  Christmas isn't far off you
> > know.  Thanks in advance 
> > Teresa.    
> > 
> > 
> >
>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > This is the apistogramma mailing list,
> > apisto@listbox.com.
> > For instructions on how to subscribe or
> unsubscribe
> > or get help,
> > email apisto-request@listbox.com.
> 
> 
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> NEW from Yahoo! GeoCities - quick and easy web site
> hosting, just $8.95/month.
> http://geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info1
> 
> 
>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
> This is the apistogramma mailing list,
> apisto@listbox.com.
> For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe
> or get help,
> email apisto-request@listbox.com.


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
NEW from Yahoo! GeoCities - quick and easy web site hosting, just $8.95/month.
http://geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info1


-------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@listbox.com.
For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help,
email apisto-request@listbox.com.