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General Koi Carp ChatKoi News and discussion
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Top Poster: markf1fan (3,497)
You are starting to get an understanding of how the system performs, different systems burn more KH than others and getting to know how yours works is one of the first steps when running RO.
You have a choice
Either
strengthen the mix so there is a greater amount of non RO water going in.
or
add a little bicarb and continue to run the GH out.
You will soon find out how your system works well as its different for all of us as we all have different water,fish and systems.
How are the fish ?
Hi Mate
Well big panic last night went to look and ph 6.8 was down and kh went from 53.7ppm to 17.9ppm so as there was no one on line so I just added some more decloranated water but it's back to this morning ph 7.2 and KH 53.7 but the tds has gone from around 164 to over 200 so now I have tested the mix going in the tank and should settle down over the weekend the koi look fine but eating loads
Shevy
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Never panic mate it makes it worse and the fish would of been fine
The fish will soon tell you when something is wrong and thats why as long as you keep your eye on thing it will be OK. Just adding some source water or bi carb would soon pop it up a little.
I run mine close to the mark and have been well below that and the fish have been fine but in saying that just keep you eye on things
I'd be inclined to set a specific mix of RO and supply and simply leave it running 24/7, that way you have a constant and can keep track of the KH to get an idea of whether the mix is to lean (the KH is depleted) or the mix is to strong (KH increases), you can then get to a mix that suits.
OK this will never give you Nirvana in terms of real low TDS but that is to an extent driven by the ratio of GH and KH you have in the supply.
When you get comfortable with the mixing method IF you want to run lower GH the only option is Bicarb dosing but I would personally recommend you get a feel of how the system performs before embarking on this route and please don't go off buying cheap and cheerful pH controllers without doing research first
If you have to add Bicarb then use a specific measure so you know how much you put in, it doesn't take a lot in a small system to have a dramatic effect and its better to add just a little, wait an hour or so and recheck the KH than throw in too much all at once - bouncing the KH and more importantly the pH up by several points.
Stick with it and you will earn a white coat award
I wouldn't worry to much about the GH its the KH that you need to keep your eye on
How many fish have you and how much food is going in and what filtration are you running on the tank ?
Hi Gazza
There is to many in there about 15 as there have grown from 2" and now 10" plus Feeding 3 times a day but they would eat 10 times if I let them and I have a easy pod and a small balck box filter. today it's looking better but the PH has gone from 7.1 to 7.6 the tds 150 the kh back to 2@ 35.8 GH is still at
7 @ 125.3
Shevy
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Well that is a lot of fish in a small tank so you will need to make sure you are on the ball and don't go to mad as otherwise it will come round and bight you on the bum
I would also be careful on how much you feed them and what temperature you run at as you can end up growth,food,water and temperature all come into keeping a fish in good condition.
Do I panic yet? 
last night went to look and ph 6.8 was down and kh went from 53.7ppm to 17.9ppm so as there was no one on line so I just added some more decloranated water but it's back to this morning ph 7.2 and KH 53.7 but the tds has gone from around 164 to over 200 so now I have tested the mix going in the tank and should settle down over the weekend the koi look fine but eating loads 
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