Calcium Hydroxide as KH/GH supplement
 

I have a planted 75 gal with DIY CO2 injection.
When first planted, the standard 2 liter DIY CO2 to the inlet of a
powerhead sufficed to keep the CO2 levels in the 'green'.
Now that the tank has 'grown in', the setup won't budge the pH.
So I redesigned the diffuser, and switched to a gallon juice jug.
Now the pH is wanting to swing TOO far. I want raise the KH slightly,
since it is a little low at 3.5 anyway.

I've heard of (and used) baking soda as a carbonate buffer, but having
kept reef tanks in the recent past, I have a large container of
Calcium Hydroxide (Kalkwasser). I am having trouble locating pure
Calcium Carbonate locally, and am wondering why the Calcium Hydroxide
couldn't be used instead? Wouldn't the snails and shrimp appreciate
this as well? Any caveats?

Thanks,
Greg

Calcium Hydroxide as KH/GH supplement
 

It will swing your pH wild in fresh water.

"Greg G." wrote in message
...

I have a planted 75 gal with DIY CO2 injection.
When first planted, the standard 2 liter DIY CO2 to the inlet of a
powerhead sufficed to keep the CO2 levels in the 'green'.
Now that the tank has 'grown in', the setup won't budge the pH.
So I redesigned the diffuser, and switched to a gallon juice jug.
Now the pH is wanting to swing TOO far. I want raise the KH slightly,
since it is a little low at 3.5 anyway.

I've heard of (and used) baking soda as a carbonate buffer, but having
kept reef tanks in the recent past, I have a large container of
Calcium Hydroxide (Kalkwasser). I am having trouble locating pure
Calcium Carbonate locally, and am wondering why the Calcium Hydroxide
couldn't be used instead? Wouldn't the snails and shrimp appreciate
this as well? Any caveats?

Thanks,
Greg

Calcium Hydroxide as KH/GH supplement
 

It will swing your pH wild in fresh water.

"Greg G." wrote in message
...

I have a planted 75 gal with DIY CO2 injection.
When first planted, the standard 2 liter DIY CO2 to the inlet of a
powerhead sufficed to keep the CO2 levels in the 'green'.
Now that the tank has 'grown in', the setup won't budge the pH.
So I redesigned the diffuser, and switched to a gallon juice jug.
Now the pH is wanting to swing TOO far. I want raise the KH slightly,
since it is a little low at 3.5 anyway.

I've heard of (and used) baking soda as a carbonate buffer, but having
kept reef tanks in the recent past, I have a large container of
Calcium Hydroxide (Kalkwasser). I am having trouble locating pure
Calcium Carbonate locally, and am wondering why the Calcium Hydroxide
couldn't be used instead? Wouldn't the snails and shrimp appreciate
this as well? Any caveats?

Thanks,
Greg