johnson lee
Koi Kichi
Apr 23, 2002, 11:00 AM
Post #33 of 35
(20350 views)
Shortcut
|
|
Re: [doitsu] Ammonia-Zeolite-UV
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
 Hi doitsu
If your pH is 9 and you add oyster shells, there will probably be a slight increase in your pH initially but as the carbonates is 'consumed' during the nitrification process, the pH will gradually start to drop.
In my earlier article, I mentioned that corals, oyster shells and cockles (all with carbonate based substance) acts as a very good pH buffer. Buffering basically means preventing the pH from swinging/dropping below the acid level ie. below 6 Some people refer to this as pH crash.
We know that koi thrives in alkaline water ie. between 7 - 8.4. So we would want to keep our pH between this range at all times. So if your pH is below 7, you add baking soda to increase the carbonates thus increasing the pH. If your pond is a concrete pond, then at the beginning you will have a naturally high pH because of the lime from the cement. However, over time as the lime wears off, your pH will start to drop. That is why you hear us talking about buffering the pH with the abovementioned stuff like oyster shells etc.
Yes, I agree with you that oyster shells stinks! I have also tried all sorts of ways to remove the smell but with varying amounts of success. In my case, I use cockles. I have put it under the sun for long periods of time. I then soak in lime water with salt and I also took the trouble to remove all the residue flesh and dirt from the shells. Ouch...my finger nails are still hurting! After that, I dry them under the sun again. It has been a long process so I detect very little smell now. However, once you put them into the filter, the smell from return!
Good luck to you!
Rgds
Johnson
|
MAIN
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
I believe that a KH of around 80-120 is within the limits and yes a higher KH than that can cause ammonia toxicity if ammonia is present in the water.
I probably do it once a quarter. 
Re: [doitsu] Ammonia-Zeolite-UV
[
. 
