Water chemistry

Water chemistry

Convert GH and KH, calculate dissolved CO2, plan RO/tap water mixing, and correct marine salinity.

GH hardness conversion

Convert general hardness between German degrees, French degrees, ppm, and mmol/L.

Results

GH (°dH)8.00
TH (°fH)14.29deg fH
ppm CaCO₃142.8ppm
mmol/L1.4264mmol/L

Formula

1 dGH = 1.786 fH = 17.848 ppm CaCO3 = 0.1783 mmol/L

KH / TAC conversion

Convert carbonate alkalinity between German degrees, French degrees, ppm, and meq/L.

Results

KH (°dKH)4.00
TAC (°fH)7.14deg fH
ppm CaCO₃71.4ppm
meq/L1.4264meq/L

Formula

1 dKH = 1.786 fH = 17.848 ppm CaCO3 = 0.3566 meq/L

Dissolved CO₂ calculator

Estimate CO₂ concentration in mg/L from pH and KH using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation.

Results

CO₂ (mg/L)19.0mg/L
ResultOptimal for plants (15–30 mg/L)
Quick pH / KH / CO2 table
KH / pH6.06.46.66.87.07.27.47.6
2602415106422
412048301912853
6180724529181175
82409660382415106
1030011975483019128
1236014390573623149
154501791137145281811

The pH/KH CO2 calculation is useful as an estimate, but acidifiers, peat, tannins, or non-carbonate buffers can distort it.

Formula

CO₂ = 3.0 × KH × 10^(7.00 - pH)

Water mixing

Calculate the mixing ratio of RO/tap water to reach target hardness.

Results

Source 1 (e.g. tap water)40.0%
Source 2 (e.g. RO water)60.0%
Source 1 liters40.0L
Source 2 liters60.0L

Formula

C₁V₁ + C₂V₂ = Cₜ(V₁ + V₂)

Density & salinity (marine)

Convert between density, specific gravity, salinity (ppt), and conductivity for marine aquariums.

Results

Density (g/cm³)1.0280g/cm3
Specific gravity (SG)1.0280
Conductivity (mS/cm)52.5mS/cm
Salt to add360g

The gram correction assumes roughly 1 g/L per 1 ppt: always dissolve salt separately and verify with a calibrated refractometer.

Hardness, CO2, and salinity calculators

This page combines GH and KH conversions, CO2 estimation, RO/tap water mixing, and marine salinity. It is designed for preparing water changes, correcting values, and reading tests without manual steps.

Scientific references

  • Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
  • Carbonate buffer system CO₂/HCO₃⁻/CO₃²⁻
  • Booth, 1998 — The Krib: CO₂ table