[Mmiller2001]

Would it be unwise to go 0KH without a pH controller? Or is it no different from having a 1 KH?

Thank you for any insight.

 

[Greggz]

In my experience no difference between zero and one dKH.

I've been running zero for about a year now. No issues at all with pH fluctuations.

As to pH controller, I use one and wouldn't be without it. But it's always a matter of debate. Put it this way, you don't "need" one but it sure is nice to have.

 

[Mmiller2001]

In my experience no difference between zero and one dKH.

I've been running zero for about a year now. No issues at all with pH fluctuations.

As to pH controller, I use one and wouldn't be without it. But it's always a matter of debate. Put it this way, you don't "need" one but it sure is nice to have.

Thank you Greggz

What would be your recommendation for a controller?

 

[Greggz]

Thank you Greggz

What would be your recommendation for a controller?

There's two that most people use, Milwaukee and American Pinpoint Marine.

The Milwaukee is cheaper. But it only goes to 0.5 readings while the APM goes to 0.1. And the Milwaukee's lowest set point is 5.5......not low enough for zero dKH water. The APM can go down to 4.0 pH. For reference, mine is set for a drop to 4.85.

The APM probe also seems to be of better quality, as it seems to have a longer life span. My last one went four years and still calibrated.

Hope that helps.

 

[Mmiller2001]

There's two that most people use, Milwaukee and American Pinpoint Marine.

The Milwaukee is cheaper. But it only goes to 0.5 readings while the APM goes to 0.1. And the Milwaukee's lowest set point is 5.5......not low enough for zero dKH water. The APM can go down to 4.0 pH. For reference, mine is set for a drop to 4.85.

The APM probe also seems to be of better quality, as it seems to have a longer life span. My last one went four years and still calibrated.

Hope that helps.

Very much, thank you.

 

[Mmiller2001]

Tomorrow is water change day, and I plan to start moving to 0KH. I just want to make sure I'm clear on one principal, and hopefully I understand this correctly.

If I'm at 30ppm CO2 at 1.5dKH, I would still be at 30ppm CO2 at 0dKH? Correct? The ppm is not changed by dKH, but rather a value to measure CO2ppm? So, essentially, I would not have to adjust CO2?

 

[Greggz]

Tomorrow is water change day, and I plan to start moving to 0KH. I just want to make sure I'm clear on one principal, and hopefully I understand this correctly.

If I'm at 30ppm CO2 at 1.5dKH, I would still be at 30ppm CO2 at 0dKH? Correct? The ppm is not changed by dKH, but rather a value to measure CO2ppm? So, essentially, I would not have to adjust CO2?

30 ppm CO2 is an irrelevant measure. No one knows their true CO2 ppm without expensive test equipment. The CO2 chart/calculator would indicate my ppm is about 100. Is it really? I highly doubt it. Remember there are other forces affecting pH besides CO2.

But in general, if you are relying on flow rate to adjust CO2, you should not need to make any change going from 1.5 dKH to zero dKH.

The best method is to adjust using pH drop from a fully degassed sample. Some say shoot for a one point drop, but most successful tanks I follow are more about 1.2 to 1.5 pH drop.

 

[Mmiller2001]

30 ppm CO2 is an irrelevant measure. No one knows their true CO2 ppm without expensive test equipment. The CO2 chart/calculator would indicate my ppm is about 100. Is it really? I highly doubt it. Remember there are other forces affecting pH besides CO2.

But in general, if you are relying on flow rate to adjust CO2, you should not need to make any change going from 1.5 dKH to zero dKH.

The best method is to adjust using pH drop from a fully degassed sample. Some say shoot for a one point drop, but most successful tanks I follow are more about 1.2 to 1.5 pH drop.

Okay, perfect. Thanks you again Greggz.