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I just started the kh testing and I already put in 16 drops and it is still orange not yellow. Also there are not recommendations to what the drops mean and what to do if it is too high or low. Can anyone please advise where I can learn more?
Thanks!
Linda

Mothermole,

Each drop is equal to 17.9 ppm. After each drop you cap the test tube, shake it and observe its color. Repeat this step until the solution goes from blue to yellow. Once at yellow you multiple the number of drops you added by the 17.9. Therefore, if it took 6 drops to turn your test solution yellow your KH would be 107.4 ppm.

KH is a measure of the carbonate and biocarbonate ion concentrations dissolved in water. It provides the necessary buffer in order to maintain a steady pH. Most documents I've read indicate to maintain a level of at least 80 ppm. Below this level is a concern for a pH crash. I personally try to stay above 125 (minimum 7 drops).

There is no magic number. Maintaining a high KH helps maintain a stable pH, preventing the possibility of a pH crash.

Things to consider:

1) Ponds with high stocking densities and feed rates. Higher alkalinity levels are desirable to provide a safer cushion to avoid the possibility of a pH crash and loss of biofiltration. I know folks who have high stocking levels who maintain a KH in the 150 ppm to 300 ppm range.

2) Do you have a lots of plants, green water or algae growth? All can destabilze the pH of the water by producing CO2 at night to give low pH at sunrise, consume CO2 in the day to give relatively high pH at sunset. Higher alkalinity helps stabilizes this pH cycle. It is possible however that in times of extreme plant growth in your pond, that the pH can fluctuate more and .3, but as long as you maintain the proper KH levels, the fish will be fine.

3) What type of filter do you have? I've read a research paper from LSU that bubble bead filters require a higher KH (150 ppm - 200ppm is better in order to cycle properly) for conversion of ammonia and nitrite at high fish loads.

If any of the above apply to your pond you may want to try to raise your KH to 150 ppm to 200 ppm.

To increase the kH you can add baking soda.

Since you indicated your test solution is orange, are you measuring GH and not KH? My test kit came with both, so its easy to confuse the two test solutions. GH uses the same multiplier as KH. But this time the solution should go from orange to green. Besides also helping maintaining a stable pH, its said GH helps maintain the Koi's coloration Low GH can be increased by adding Epson Salt.

Hope this helps.
Steve

Thank you Steve, you are spot on.

In my personal pond I maintain 80 to 120 KH. In the tanks of fish for sale, which are overstocked I maintain around 200 KH.

There is no correct answer, anything above 80 is fine. And I too know many who keep or their water is extremely hard that have KH of 300.

In MI my water was very hard and the KH was 300 and the fish did fine.

Here in NC the water is very soft and the KH out of the tap is 60. The fish do just fine as long as I check it regularly and add baking soda when it starts to drop.

pH crash is not a laughing matter and I had one several years ago. Many fish were dead before I realized what was going on.

I just want to say I have been on both sides of the fence with KH.

It is a good idea to test water out of the tap and know your "base" water.

Keep a journal. Start with your base water and when you test write down the date and the readings. I keep track of ammonia, nitrite, pH and KH. With time you will see a pattern and will know how much to add and how often.
For instance, when my pond is KH, if I add 12 pounds of baking soda I know it will go to 120 KH.

Bonnie

Ok this for the water quality gurus, which I am not.
I have some questions. I tested my water tonight, out of the tap and pond side with drop kit except for GH. GH I had to use test strips, I know I know I know that is bad, it was all I had. Shame on me.

The pond is The tap is:
pH=9.0 9.0
trites=0 0
trates=0 0
ammonia=0 0
GH=120 120
KH=180 53.7*

*I did the test 3 times and each time it came out the same.
How does the water get harder? The only thing that has been added is the clay and I don't think that really has an effect does it?

Also, I vaccumed the pond, changed 50% of the water and now after only 3 days I have dirty foam on the surface and string algae going nuts. Filters were cleaned at the same time. This is the second time this has happened. The first time I did not clean "all" the filters, so I thought that was it, but the results were the same this time. I even held off feeding just to see what would happen. I am at a loss.
Is it time to add some activated carbon?

I have gotten what the city reports the water contaminants were for the last year.

Combined radium 2.6-4.5 pCi/L
Uranium= 0.8-3.7 ppb
Arsenic= ND-2.5 ppb
Barium=0.128-0.185 ppm
Copper=0.256 ppm
Fluoride= 0.022-0.25 ppm My fish must have good teeth
Nitrate =1.47-5.14 ppm
Chlorine=1.0

Would any of the above have the DOC affect on the water.

Thanks
Vanessa

The clay adds the trace minerals that the Koi need that are missing from our water. It also helps with heavy metals that may be present in our source water. Different brands of clay have different pH values. I've found the addition of Koi Clay has increased my kH some. I think there is a comparison of Koi clay in the first or second issue of Koi Nations.

Steve

I went to Koi Nations web site and tried to find the article but didn't come up with it. I will check around and see if I can find someone that subscribes. Thanks for the info.

Vanessa

Vanessa,

I have a pdf copy of the article. If some can tell me how to the attach a document I can post it. The article compares seven different types of Koi Clays.
Steve

Thanks Steve. If we can't figure out how to post the document, would you be willing to just e-mail a copy to me. I do think there must be a way to post it since we can post pictures and videos now to the site. At the bottom of the "post reply page" it has the tab for attachments, I wonder if it can be attached there and then opened by each user with adobe. Hmmmmm, maybe Joe will let us know one way or the other.

Vanessa