[Colorblizzle]

I finally went and bout a testing kit and tested my water my GH Is 11 (195ppm) and my KH is 5 (125ppm). I also keep African cichlids and they seem to be doing well although I now know my alkalinity is very low for them. That is the tank I tested also could calceous rocks and crushed coral affect my readings?

 

[Colorblizzle]

I probably should also state that the reason for this post is I'm about to start a planted tank...

 

[micheljq]

I finally went and bout a testing kit and tested my water my GH Is 11 (195ppm) and my KH is 5 (125ppm). I also keep African cichlids and they seem to be doing well although I now know my alkalinity is very low for them. That is the tank I tested also could calceous rocks and crushed coral affect my readings?

Hi, I would be more concerned about the african cichlids than the plants. Last year i was growing plants with a KH of 7 and GH of 9 without problems. GH of 11 is not such a hard water, it's more low-medium hard from my point of view.

You can do a research, some plants will prefer such parameters, other will not but will grow in it nevertheless, maybe slower.

Michel.

 

[Colorblizzle]

I've been keeping cichlids for a little over a year and they seem to not mind

 

[Diana]

Most aquarium plants are quite adaptable to whatever GH and KH you have.
I would bump up the KH for the fish. Especially if you will be adding CO2.

 

[Colorblizzle]

I'm not adding CO2. But how can I bump it up? My mbuna tank already has a crushed coral substrate and lots of calceous rock. As for my planted tank I don't wanna add crushed coral or rocks just plants flourite and driftwood for decor. Is there something else I can do?

 

[Captivate05]

Your GH and KH should be fine for most plants and fish, IMO. If you feel like your water is too hard, you can cut it 50/50 with RO water from the store. My local Meijer has the jugs you can fill right there which cost $0.29 a gallon if you have a container for it.

 

[Colorblizzle]

Adding RO water will increase my alkalinity??

 

[Colorblizzle]

Meijer huh? Where hours in Michigan are you from? I live in holland which is by Grand Rapids

 

[sketch804]

Adding RO water will increase my alkalinity??

RO water will not increase anything, it is completely void of everything but H20, well depending on the quality of the machine. Alkalinity, hardness, etc.. will be cut in half if you are to do as suggested and do 50/50 mix.

 

[Colorblizzle]

Ok I get it. So doing 50/50 will drop my GH to 5-6 which from what I understand the plants will love. After that how do I raise my KH? I'm guessing I want that closer to 8 DKH? Maybe higher? Definitely closer to 300 for my mbuna tank