Alkalinity KH

[Redpanda]

I’ve been using ntlabs test kit, and noticed that our water has super low KH.
Now at first drop the colour hardly changes to blue, almost has yellow tint in it , then second drop changes to yellow.
Literally 2dH at most is that possible, anything I could or should do to raise it?

pH is yellow ~7

General hardness 6dH

I worry now it’s not suitable at all for fish

[Fishtales]

Yes it's possible, sometimes my water (which fluctuates horrendously) is only 1 dKH from the tap. I test with NT Labs also. I use RO water now and use the Seachem Alkaline buffer to up the dKH to about 4. The problem with the KH being too low is that it stabalizes your PH, so without it this can fluctuate dramatically which is very bad for your fish. Infact it can be deadly.

You can use the Alkaline buffer to increase your tap water KH also. There are other brands available as well.

I also use the Seachem Equilibrium to give my desired hardness. You seem to have a pretty reasonable hardness though, so not something to worry about unless you have hard water fish. Or very soft water fish. Your hardness will accommodate most fish.

[Gingerlove05]

For just adjusting the ph you may find using potassium bicarbonate will help, the bicarbonates would increase your Kh and buffering capacity. The potassium gets used up by plants (unlike sodium bicarbonate).
As Fishtales says, for a stable ph you want your Kh to be 4 or above

[Fishtales]

For just adjusting the ph you may find using potassium bicarbonate will help, the bicarbonates would increase your Kh and buffering capacity. The potassium gets used up by plants (unlike sodium bicarbonate).
As Fishtales says, for a stable ph you want your Kh to be 4 or above

That's a good cost effective option GL

[Gingerlove05]

Only thing i cant remember is how much you need

[Fishtales]

Only thing i cant remember is how much you need

Trial and error I guess (out of the tank of course). I think I may try it when my buffer runs out. Have a little experiment at least

[Gingerlove05]

Theres something in the back of my mind says 1tsp per 5l or 10l increases the Kh by 1°
I'll have a root around and find out

[Martinspuddle]

I’ve been using ntlabs test kit, and noticed that our water has super low KH.
Now at first drop the colour hardly changes to blue, almost has yellow tint in it , then second drop changes to yellow.
Literally 2dH at most is that possible, anything I could or should do to raise it?

pH is yellow ~7

General hardness 6dH

I worry now it’s not suitable at all for fish

Just watch this video from Ivan Mikolji, the stream next to the aquarium he sets up in Amazonas state, the water values are less than yours. The stream is full of wild Cardinal Tetras - Paracheirodon axelrodi.

[Fishtales]

Are you suggesting you don't think you need a reasonable KH to keep the PH stable long term in an aquarium @Martinspuddle ?

[Martinspuddle]

Are you suggesting you don't think you need a reasonable KH to keep the PH stable long term in an aquarium @Martinspuddle ?

I worry now it’s not suitable at all for fish

No, Redpanda was worried they water was unsuitable for fishkeeping, I'm just showing those parameters are still very usable. In many areas the water parameters fluctuate depending on season.

In the video the water parameters Ph:5 dKH: 1.1 and dGH: 1, which are less than Redpanda got from their local water supply.