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Old 06-19-2006, 11:47 AM   #22 (permalink)
Edward
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zapins
Hmm, this is very interesting. I have a KH of 0 naturally from the tap. However, my plants showed signs of Co2 deficiency when the pH reached ~5. Since then I have been buffering the water to about 4 degrees, and have been cautious of raising it higher. I was using a pH controller at the time.

Do you think that the controller was the problem because it does not take much Co2 to maintain a pH of 5 with 0 KH (hence the deficiency)? If so, are pH controllers useless if using 0 KH?

As an after thought, are there any strong benefits to keeping a KH of 0 vs. keeping it at 1-3? You mentioned plants grow better, exactly how do they grow better?
Hi Zapins
The CO2 deficiency was due to the design of the CO2 Controller, because it is based on pH instead of the real CO2 concentration. I think simple needle valve would do the job more reliably.

There is nothing wrong with KH of 1 or 2 degrees except that it is difficult to maintain at stable level for long. And I noticed some sensitive plants need more light to grow as nicely at higher KH and some don’t grow at all.


Thank you
Edward
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