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Edward · 05-26-2004, 08:14 AM

Tom,
let me Thank you for the great help you have done for the aquatic plant community. Most of us would be still fighting algae today.

What condition is considered as a harmful pH crash is difficult to determine. In some parts of South American rivers water level rises several meters after rain fall. This water is filled with humid acid and CO2 from plant decomposition. Conductivity remains as low as 10 uS, pH around 5 and KH only in traces.

This is the environment where fish and plants flourish. For example Cardinal Tetra larvae will not develop and die in KH over 0.2 ppm, GH other then 1-2, pH over 6.0 (ideal 5.5) and conductivity other then 10-30 uS. So why not give plants and fish such conditions when RO allows it.

I've been keeping plants and fish in pH of 4.0 to 5.0 for the last 3 years with no problems. Some Tetras breed and raise babies and that is a prove how healthy environment they have. Most Tetras wouldn't be able to develop in KH of 2.

I have tried to increase KH with soda some time ago, but it was never ending struggle. Unstable pH fluctuations made it difficult. If there is a stable KH source like tap water then water changes don't cause variations. In my tanks with zero KH the pH fluctuation is 0.4 pH at most. Not much different then tanks with KH of 3. What mechanism is making the pH so stable without the KH buffering?

I believe that we are unnecessarily obsessed with the pH issue. The need to keep it in the range of 6.9-7.1 is a myth.

Thank you,
Edward

05-26-2004, 08:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
Edward Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: at home Posts: 2,019 iTrader Ratings: 0 Plant Points: 103005	Tom, let me Thank you for the great help you have done for the aquatic plant community. Most of us would be still fighting algae today. What condition is considered as a harmful pH crash is difficult to determine. In some parts of South American rivers water level rises several meters after rain fall. This water is filled with humid acid and CO2 from plant decomposition. Conductivity remains as low as 10 uS, pH around 5 and KH only in traces. This is the environment where fish and plants flourish. For example Cardinal Tetra larvae will not develop and die in KH over 0.2 ppm, GH other then 1-2, pH over 6.0 (ideal 5.5) and conductivity other then 10-30 uS. So why not give plants and fish such conditions when RO allows it. I've been keeping plants and fish in pH of 4.0 to 5.0 for the last 3 years with no problems. Some Tetras breed and raise babies and that is a prove how healthy environment they have. Most Tetras wouldn't be able to develop in KH of 2. I have tried to increase KH with soda some time ago, but it was never ending struggle. Unstable pH fluctuations made it difficult. If there is a stable KH source like tap water then water changes don't cause variations. In my tanks with zero KH the pH fluctuation is 0.4 pH at most. Not much different then tanks with KH of 3. What mechanism is making the pH so stable without the KH buffering? I believe that we are unnecessarily obsessed with the pH issue. The need to keep it in the range of 6.9-7.1 is a myth. Thank you, Edward