[HamToast]

I tested my dGH and got a reading of essentially 0. The water immediately turned to that faint green coloration. I tested the water right from the tap and it's exactly the same way. I then took the water to my LFS to have them test it and see if my kit was bad and they got the same 0 readings. My pH is at a stable 7.6, which I'm happy with. DKH is at 5, also happy there.

I want to try and add some crushed coral to the filter to increase the dGH but I don't want pH to go up much. I guess if I had to I would be okay with it rising to near 7.8, but anything higher, especially over 8.0, and I would not be really pleased.

Any help is appreciated, I've been struggling with this tank a lot since I moved back in December. New water, no more C02, and a disrupted eco system have not made for an easy time.

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Hi HamToast,

Coral is made from Calcium Carbonate, it will definitely increase your PH / dKH. If you want to increase your dGH with minimal effect on your PH / dKH I would suggest Calcium Sulfate and Magnesium Sulfate, Barrs GH Booster, or Seachem Equilbrium.

 

[AaronT]

Hi HamToast,

Coral is made from Calcium Carbonate, it will definitely increase your PH / dKH. If you want to increase your dGH with minimal effect on your PH / dKH I would suggest Calcium Sulfate and Magnesium Sulfate, Barrs GH Booster, or Seachem Equilbrium.

Yes, listen to this advice. You don't want to also raise your KH also. Plants won't like that either.

 

[HamToast]

Hi HamToast,

Coral is made from Calcium Carbonate, it will definitely increase your PH / dKH. If you want to increase your dGH with minimal effect on your PH / dKH I would suggest Calcium Sulfate and Magnesium Sulfate, Barrs GH Booster, or Seachem Equilbrium.

Thanks! I have some MgSO4 already and have been dosing in very small amounts in a dissolved solution according to my fertilizer regime. I could get some CaSO4 for cheap on a fertilizer site or possibly a local garden center. Or would you suggest one of the boosters be a better alternative?

Would you be able to point me in the direction of a resource to help guide the mixtures I would need?

 

[AaronT]

The boosters are just MgSO3, CaSO4, and K2SO4 already mixed together. If you have the one already just pick up some CaSO4.

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Hi HamToast,

When dosing Ca and Mg separately I always seem to have trouble maintaining an Ca:Mg ratio of approximately 3:1 / 4:1. I now dose either Equilibrium or Barrs GH Booster.