A Few Ph Gh And Kh Questions...

[CFC]

The trouble with using substrates that buffer the water is that as natural bio films build up they supress the ability for the substrate to release buffers by sealing them in, likewise with rocks and bags of calciforous media placed in filters. Of course a good stir will solve this problem but will then damage the bio film layers which are what gives a mature tank its rock solid stability. Its half a dozen of one and 6 of another it would seem

 

[Squid]

The trouble with using substrates that buffer the water is that as natural bio films build up they supress the ability for the substrate to release buffers by sealing them in, likewise with rocks and bags of calciforous media placed in filters. Of course a good stir will solve this problem but will then damage the bio film layers which are what gives a mature tank its rock solid stability. Its half a dozen of one and 6 of another it would seem

Aren't you supposed to stir up sand anyway in order to stop any (oh dear here comes a typo) anerobic gases building up... mbuna are slight diggers anyway which might help..

Squid

 

[CFC]

Whether to stir or not depends on the substrate depth, anerobic bacteria cant form in substrates less than 2 inches deep so in most cases there is no problem of anerobic patches forming and releasing sulphur dioxide, the only time i can see it being a problem is in the early stages of a planted tank before root growth has got established.

 

[Squid]

aha.. yes that rings a bell.. my sand at the moment is deeper, as i have plants and laterite (which i expect is also lowering my PH)........ bah...!

Does anyone sell good books on water.. no fish.. just water chemistry.. hehehe I think i might just by a cat or a puppy.. heh

 

[CFC]

lol its typical really isnt it, your a few miles up the road and want hard water but have soft, im in SW London and keep fish that preffer soft water but have liquid rock Thames water coming through the taps, last time i tested GH it was around the 20 mark.

Maybe you should just drive down the A3 once a week and fill a couple of barrels up with water from here and take them home, might be easier