What is KH??? GH??? pH???
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- Опубліковано 23 лип 2024
- What's in our water? Because it looks clean and clear doesn't mean that it's healthy! Here I talk about some invisible factors that are critical to the health and look of our fish.
Please add to the conversation below. This topic can get very involved and complicated but any comments that can simplify and increase everyone's understanding of these factors will be greatly appreciated.
I hope this helps and as I continue to read up on this I will post updates on this important but often misunderstood or neglected aspect of fish keeping.
Link to a good article Practical Water Chemistry: www.cichlid-forum.com/article...
Another good article, The Nitrogen Cycle: www.cichlid-forum.com/article...
Playlist you might enjoy: • Reducing Fish Tank Nit...
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Visit and join the Facebook group: Ben O'Cichlid where friendly fish folk go to chat.
Help support the future of the hobby by joining the American Cichlid Association at: www.cichlid.org
The channel continues to grow and I am forever grateful to all of you who take the time to watch my videos!
YOU ROCK MY FRIENDS! - Домашні улюбленці та дикі тварини
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In the year and a half I’ve been in the hobby, the whole pH, Gh, Kh trinity is the one thing I haven’t quite been able to get a grasp on, despite massive internet research. You just gave ME the AHA! Moment 😍
Thank you so much!!!
Great video Ben. You've explained the subject well and without getting into the weeds. We are all going to be better fish keepers thanks to your help.
Thank you
Almost all of your content matches my knowledge on African cichlids and aquariums in general. It’s so refreshing to see someone so passionate about the aquarist hobby that you take every little thing seriously and then pass that knowledge on to other people who take the time to learn and watch your content. Or even compare knowledge like I’m doing. Thanks 🐠🐠
Do you recommend aragonite and seachem equilibrium for maintaining kh and gh?
Great breakdown and explanation, fish look stunning as well as usual.
Great video. I’ve been trying to get my head around the ph gh kh thing but it’s slowly sinking in.
Awesome vid for the newer fish keepers. Great work :)
Simple and informative. Thank you!
While I always enjoy your informative cichlid videos, you knocked off my socks with this one. Very helpful. Thank you so much for passing along the knowledge.
Thank you very much for this video :) It helped a lot!
You have a way of making difficult things very easy to understand. I had struggled with GH and KH when I first started keeping Cichlids. I finally found some articles that helped me understand their importance. I wish I would have heard your video earlier, you have such an easy to understand method of presentation. I plan to review your video some a few more times, thanks for providing us newbies with so much information. I really like watching!
Great video Ben. Very informative. Never stop learning everyday.
Before I even think of trying to solve an aquarium mystery, I'll first drop everything I'm doing and rush over to Ben Ochart's list of videos....in my mind, he's a real natural at fish keeping and their needs. And he'll explain it to me where my feeble mind can absorb and make use of the information without throwing words around that are made up of 20 or more letters. Thanks Ben-
Your comment gave me a smile. Thank you for watching and I'm glad you find the channel helpful.
Thank you so much! I understand this so much better now. Having trouble with ph swinging to acidic and low alkalinity. Beautiful fish!
When I first got my fish I was very distraught about why they kept becoming diseased and dying, when I began to research my water levels I was very confused with the very scientific articles and this video helped a lot. Thank you for sharing your knowledge on this topic.
Great explanation. Thank you!
well spoken, and thanks for showing us the tank. The fish look just vibrant and show good health.
thank you Mike!
Awesome video Ben thank you so much much for sharing I'm sure is going to help many hobbies 👍💯💯
Absolutely brilliant video.
really well done video
Great video Ben! I had 0 kh in my water for a long time. Super slow growing and sick a lot. Now that I have a handle on it my fish are thriving. I can’t wait to get a camera so I can share with all you guys that helped me figure fish keeping out.
Oh man, thanks so much for that. I've been trying to figure out why my Corydoras have been so bummed out. Got onto the subject but like you said, most of the stuff I read was not meant for a beginner. This helped alot! Thanks!
Great to hear!
Thank you so much! I tried watching other videos but I got overwhelmed by the others I just recently bought a Nutrafin Master test kit so I’m excited to learn more and test it out
Fantastic video, thanks
Thank you!
Thank you! 😀👍🏻
Hay Ben ... Thanks ,thanks a lot
never tested for KH and GH, need to buy a test kit for that. Thanks for the info, I do use salt and crushed coral for my substrate
Very informative!
great informative video ben!
Just starting a 30 gallon tank with ro water and co2. This is my first tank and I want to learn as much as I can about water chemistry and how to control it correctly.. I'll be growing plants only with no fish until I get it down.
Thanks Ben.
Hi Ben, I maintain marine aquarium. But I still find this video very very informative. Thank you...
Very nice video Ben you always seem to be evolving. You said your KH & GH were high but you didn’t give any figures, what numbers do you aim for?
I like 14 for KH and 12 for GH.
Love your work man. Been really helpful. I have 65 gallon starting on cichlids. I just bought 2 Sunsun 302s and the media you recommend. I saw you have discription of your equipment but am confused on sponge filter and power head setup. Could you help me out? Maybe some links or photos.
Hey Mac, Sure, I suggest that you start with this video list: ua-cam.com/video/EDvREoUEzVk/v-deo.html
I hope this helps. Also check out PondGuru's "Pimp my Canister" video. Very informative.
I'm just starting to try and wrap my head around the subject since I want to start an African Cichlids tank & started to do my research on them. As ya said there are articles that ya need an Analytic Chemist to explain lol
hello Ben, I like watching your videos because they are very interesting and educational, I used Seachem Cichlid Lake Salt in every w/c for my KH & GH and the colors of my fish looks awesome
Efrain's Cichlids Cichlid lake salt will only raise your GH not your KH. You need Seachem Malawi buffer or similar to raise your KH.
ObsessiveCichlidDisorder thanks for the tip 👍
Hey Ben, you surprised me with a Friday video lol. I thought you did an excellent job taking a difficult subject, breaking it down, and simplifying it. I believe I have read some of those articles you mentioned in the past. I also use Cichlid Lake Salt by Seachem, but I also use their Malawi/Victoria Buffer. I also started using another product they make that I get from Lisa called, “Cichlid Trace,” in between water changes. If I could interject one more piece of information I learned regarding Osomoregulation, is that KH is vital to regulating the kidneys in fish. Anyways, I give you a lot of credit on this video 👍!
Is it necessary to add crushed corral if you are using a substrate like “African cichlid sand” which is intended for these cichlids? Seems like the sand does the same thing by raising and maintaining the ph. Or is crushed corral just another good option for a substrate? I just don’t want to add it if it’s not needed. Thanks!
Thanks for the knowledge as always. Your aquarium looks stunning. After seeing your video I quickly broke out the test kit and found that the KH was low on my aquarium. With Mbuna Cichlids what kh/gh would you suggest to assist me in getting mine close to as beautiful as yours?
What are your KH and GH numbers?, Does your PH crash? If it doesn't, I personally would not start messing with your KH and GH.
Hi Ben, great video, increasing ph is less dangerous than decreasing ph, for example a fish may survive ph 6 to ph 8, but the reverse would most likely cause it to die.
Eating Steaks! HAHAHA!
Thanks for sharing Ben.
Paul, didn't you chop up a steak and feed it to your preds? LOL
I need to ask you how long it took to get your cichlids over Columnaris? I have fresh water nano fish with columnaris, Ive been treating with Kanaplex and Furan 2 and water changes every third day. How long will this take? I still see fish with that white film over their bodies. Thanks
I have a GH of
Great job explaining a subject that you can easily get lost in for hours discussing. Somedays I wish I didn't understand water chemistry. Lol My tap water is horrible. PH is 8.4 KH 3 GH 4. It starts to crash immediately. Raising the GH is fairly easy and no where near as stressful to the fish as raising the KH. Once I got my KH a degree above my Gh my PH leveled off. I think I just lost myself. Lol. And as always fish looking amazing.
Are you using baking soda? Maybe you're already familiar with this but I always enjoy re-visiting it: www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/water_chemistry.php
@@BenOchart Hi Ben. Thank you for the link. I use Seachem Malawi Buffer, Seachem Cichlid Salts,Seachem Trace. You would think I own stock in the company. Lol. I did not know the effects of Phosphate , which led me to rereading my Towns annual water report again and finding out that the town I live in actually was fined for high phosphate levels which led me to dig a little deeper. So now I'll be buying an Ro system lol I'm JK thought about it but didn't realize how much water you waste per gallon and as you know when you have 500 plus gallons, I'd end up with my own water plant. This hobby never gets boring and you never stop learning,at least you shouldn't IMO. I've officially entered sump land and figuring out the mechanics was no problem, it's getting things water tight that's making me mental. Lol.
Hi Ben, been watching a lot of your videos becuase I will be setting up my first cichlid tank and it's a 125 gallon tank. You said you can raise these levels with crushed coral. I see that you use it as a substrate. Can levels be raised if I used it in my canister filter instead of substrate? Thank you!
That's what I'm doing with my 100gal where I'm using just black sand. I have a mesh bag full of crushed coral/shells that are releasing minierals into the water, making the water "harder" and neutralizing nitric acid. After six months dump the crushed coral and add fresh since someone mentioned to me that it's release of minerals can decrease over time.
Hello Ben, I have discus and unfortunately low KH 1-2. I want to stabilize my PH but in between wc my pH tends to drop, how can I raise KH without raising PH. thks!
Ben...
May I ask, where did you get the rock in your aquarium?
How do you raise ur kh and gh ? And what should it be at
Hi Ben what would you recommend to be a good test kit as the api .after kit only does PH that I have ?
Api makes a gh kh test kit as well
Nice ! Good Info !! Ammonia-0, Nitrite-0. Nitrate-10, pH-7.4, gH-5, kH-5.. South American biotope..
Hey Ben, I have never tested my water for KH or GH but regularly check the pH. It sits at 7.8 to 8. Does this mean I have good calcium and minerals in my water in your opinion? 🤔
Superb Sir. Please give the PH, GH, and KH and TDS level for SRD and KAMFA Flowerhorn. Thank you
Very good subject. With centrals it causes flashing
I'm sorry but what is "centrals", thanks.
Central American cichlids (and South Americans )
the only ones i never get is GH and KH ... to me hardness is hardness so TY for this explanation honestly i dont ever remember ever testing for hardness when working at pet shops back in the day. I also remember when API - dr wellfish came out with the Nitrate test back then the master test kit was PH Ammonia Nitrite GK and KH
Very well done video Ben!
I've been waiting for you to discuss this topic.
Thank you ben. Should I use just cichlid lake salt or malawi lake buffer? Could you tell me the difference between the 2? Thank you in advance. YOU ROCk
What's your pH out of the tap? If below 7.5 consider using the buffer. If over 7.5, you're okay and might want to add a little lake salt to add trace minerals that might be missing in your tap water.
My gh is at 300 after a water change. Should I lower it? Ph 7.2. Severums and frontosas 125 gallon. S
This is driving me nuts. I have high KH, low GH, okay pH from tap and then pH goes high in the tank. Seems to be killing scavengers.
Ben, you stated that you keep your GH and KH high, are you using crush coral in the substrate or your filter?
My substrate is crushed coral, except in my 100 gal (black sand) and in that set up I do what you said and keep a mesh back of crushed coral in the FX-6 filter
@@BenOchart How much do you have in the FX6 and how long did/does it take to affect the water? Thanks
Hi Ben, I’ve a new tank with neon tetras, however my Ph is going very hi around 9 in spite of adding ph down by API, how can I reduce my PH and maintain. My GH is around 10 deg.
3 questions: What are you using for substrate? What is the pH of your tap water? And do you any decor that might be releasing minerals like coral, holy rock or limestone?
You said you used crushed corals. Could one use crushed egg shells, that have been cleaned and put in the oven for a little?
Well done , when a simple minded country boy can understand it. Then the rest should rock the knowledge lol.
Hi Ben.
I hope you are well.
This is an awesome video.
I remember having to do the KH test a lot when I had a Saltwater Aquarium. It brought back a lot of good memories.
Thank you for sharing my friend. 👍
Need to know about ph kh gh for arawana
So here's a question for ya .. I've got weird water. my KH is Low. - not much buffer - my GH is liquid rock high. & my PH is fairly high, about 8 ish .. how can I raise my KH for better buffering without raising my PH ??
👍🏾
Is a ph 8.2 gh 9 kh 14 for peacocks good bad or what?? To maintain ph of 8.2 the kh has to be what seems high, 14. Talked to seachem on the phone they recommended high ph liked 8.2 but wanted gh of 8 or 9 but the kh only 1 or 2 digits higher than gh then beyond that their conversation and explanation sent my brain on a whirlwind lol
My levels are all off now, used to be right at KH ideal and pH levels 7-80ph I have community tank 21 total fish 2 Molly's 4 guppies 2 Dalmatian Mollies 2 Albino Cory's 2 rainbows 2 Kuhli Loach's 2 dwarfs 2 Leopard Bush Fish and now I'm literally in Idkk what it is ammonia was 0-0.5 power outage happened for 20 minutes then came home and boom ask the way to danger level of ammonia and 50% WC 2 days later 40% then 3 days later 25% to not shock the fish..... Now since none of that worked using Fritz-Zywme turbo start and water conditioner etc... My ammo is still 8ppm and my KH and pH levels are down drastically! Acidic and pH is like 5-6! There's little sizzling bubbles at the top of my tank that's like cooking bacon? With allll this not ONE fish has died no red gills and there noot grasping for air no signs from ammonia which is driving myself crazzy on what I did/what to do PLEASE anyone that can help lmk... I've asked on other videos and nobody's answered to my knowledge? So PLEASE email me before my 60 gallon tall tank all the fish die! Ksarni12@Gmail.com if this doesn't work on my phone a lot! Thanks in advance for your help!
It’s the Trifecta effect of the LMNOP factors it makes your Fish swim this way and that way !!??
Hey Vinfish, I don't understand. What's "LMNOP"???
okay Mr. BEN JUST FORGET About the LMNOP factors … its worse when you get readings of XYZ that's when your fish start swimming backwards and makes them harder to feed but potentially fatal if not treated
My tank is empty at the minute til the weekend I’m gettin deamonsi Mbuna what should the kh n ph be for these fish please anyone I have lava rock and the substrate I have is black moon shine sand have a bag of coral under in a bag please help me before I get fish in 2 days cheers
The coral should help with the minerals and and help keep pH high. Lake Malawi fish are going to need hard water and a high, around 8.0 pH. Check what the water is like with the seller. Sometimes the tank bred fish are accustomed to a lower pH.
Ben Ochart iv got my deamonsi and yellow labs today I got a big bag of crushed oyster shell they said at my local store tha would help and it has I have buried under my substrate coral sand and crushed oyster shell cheers
My blue kenyi cichlad are fighting can i send the photos in instagram to you
Ben; I am so surprised at how many people have been keeping fish for so many years and do not understand the fundamental and extremely necessary and important roll KH, GH, And PH play in the health and survival of their tropical fish. Anyway, thank you very much for putting out this information in the way you did on UA-cam, in a simple and understandable form for most people to understand,..this will make the difference for many fish keepers fish,..between life and death. and I urge all fish keepers to learn how to adjust there are waters for the type of fish they are keeping, starting with getting a good test kit for measuring KH, GH, and PH. And learning how to stabilize these parameters for the fish they keep. Remember people one size does not fit all. One more thing I must say, if you do not test for PH, and especially KH and GH then you have no business keeping tropical fish.
Why don't a lot of people in the hobby talk about this? I never even knew about kh gh only ph
Goldfish hardness of water
You forgot about KG
See Now your secret is out. I am just now finding out. I knew it was something different. Not just water changes.
Game for 1 minuets videos... stuck with 11 minutes 😂😂😂🙈
As stupid as this sounds, I want to see smiling faces and a musical note when the various letters appear on the screen. Possibly even have another voice "Hi, i'm KH, and I do this stuff".
I'm writing this for a friend that has kids and want to set up a fishtank.