KH and Alkalinity messed up

[Darth-Tater]

I just got home from a beautiful six day stay at Methodist Hosp. :lol I had my oldest son taking care of the tank while I had surgery. The tank looks good but my KH value is 6.4 dkhand the alkalinity is 2.29keg/L Ok now what the heck does this mean. I am unable to sit pright for any length of time to find this out. I think I want the KH to be 8dkh and the alkalinity to be 2.9. What do I use to get it where I want it and is 8 and 2.9 where I want it? My xenia have all gone bye bye :( and my Zoos don't open up as much as they have in the past. Amonia is at 0 Nitraite at 0 nitrate are low but not zero.(Can't remember the #'s) I knwo if I ask what product to use and what levels I want I will get a bunch of super information from everyone. I am busy digging through my books looking for answers.

Thanks

David

[NaCl_H2O]

Alk and dKH are a measurment of the same think, just different scales. Alk * 2.8 = dKH. How to raise your dKH depends on where your Ca level is. Look at this link for corrections based on current Ca and dKH levels.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

[NaCl_H2O]

Oh, and glad your "Vacation" is over ;) How was the food :sick

[gjuarez]

Yup, they are the same thing. When DKH is low your tank's PH is more volatile. I use B-Ionic to control mine. I am absolutely satisfied with it and I think its the next best thing to having a calcium reactor.