Things You'll Need
- Safety goggles
- Carbonate hardness testing solution or paper kit such as the Salifert KH/Alk Profi-Test kit.
- pH (acidity) testing kit
- Cup or small mixing vessel
Instructions
Use your KH testing kit according to the directions and find out how much the reading differs from the ideal reading recommended for your particular aquatic environment. Salifert recommends an alkalinity level of approximately 7.8 - 9 dKH (German hardness units, the standard for measuring carbonate hardness) for coral reef maintenance and ornamental algae growth.
Put on your safety goggles and open the package of Salifert KH+ pH buffer.
Dissolve 7 measuring scoops, or 0.04 cups (10 mls - first gradation on the measuring beaker that is supplied with larger packages of buffer instead of a scoop) of powder in a cup or vessel with at least 4 ounces of clean, fresh water. This raises the carbonate hardness by 3.3 dKH for every 25 gallons of water. Adjust the amount depending on the size of your aquarium and the degree to which you need to raise the hardness.
Pour the dissolved buffer solution into your aquarium and let it circulate for a few minutes. Test the KH again and repeat the process as necessary.
Test the water again for both KH and pH (acidity) after 24 hours. The pH should be in the same range as it was before you added buffer. If either the KH or pH remain low, check your pump and aeration system to make sure it is in proper working order and sufficiently powerful for an aquarium the size and shape of yours.