Questions About Water Hardness.

[mike_nofx]

I recently read an article on here about PH, KH and GH.

One part i dont quite get is "There are two types of hardness that we need to consider. Permanent hardness and alkalinity (often referred to as carbonate or temporary hardness) (kH). The sum of both types of hardness is called general hardness (gH)"

Is this bit saying the two types are: 'Permanent & Alkalinity' AND 'General'?
Or is Permanent and Alkalinity two different types?

When you test KH, are you testing alkalinity hardness only? Or does KH include Alkalinity and permanent?

OR!... When you test KH you are testing Alkilinity ONLY... and when you test GH you are testing alkalinity AND Permanent added together??

Sorry for my ignorance...

Mike

 

[mike_nofx]

No one knows??

 

[shaddai]

No one knows??

This is what my red sea test kit instruction sheet says: Permanent Hardness = GH-KH

So, that's what they think....I'm like you though..trying to wrap my head around the whole ph, gh & kh picture.

Todd

 

[The-Wolf]

I hope the following helps you

KH. This is an extent of the, temporary, hardness of water. This is derived mainly from carbonate and bicarbonate ions and directly reflects the buffering capacity of the water. It can be removed by boiling the water. (This is why lime-scale builds up on heater elements.)

GH. This is an extent of the hardness of water. This is derived mainly from the concentration of magnesium and calcium ions. (Other ions can add to water hardness but are usually irrelevant and not easy to measure.)
Note; It is GH, not KH that is being referred to when talking about fish that prefer soft or hard water. GH will not directly affect pH although "hard" water is generally alkaline due to some interaction of GH and KH.

for more explanations of what is in water click the water link in my sig