[edouthirt]

Do you use it at every water change or only when needed?

I ask this because I have noticed for some odd reason that sometimes I do a water change (usually 25%) and the pH drops and other times it doesn't. If it doesn't drop I don't want to add more buffer and get it any higher, but when it does drop I add the buffer.

Does this seem like a good tactic?

I just don't understand why it's only needed sometimes... perhaps my tap water fluctuates?

How harmful is it to mbuna if the pH fluctuates a few points from time to time?

 

[edouthirt]

Also, I'm not sure if this is the most appropriate discussion board for this topic...

Mods, please feel free to move it if necessary.

Thanks!!

 

[ridley25]

I buffer my pH to keep it above 8.0. Out of the tap in Toronto it's about 7.4. Before each water change I use a dip strip that measures my nitrates, nitrites, pH, ammonia, hardness, etc. It's not super accurate but it works.
Anyway, to the point: because I have lots of shells and limestone in my tank the pH seldom needs adjusting. But like yourself, once in a while I see a sudden drop.
When that happens I just add the recommended amount of buffer into my last bucket of treated water during a change. I change 25% weekly. I've never had any problems.

 

[acquario]

I started using the buffer recipe 2 months ago because like you I saw some inconsistency with my PH readings, I slowly added the mix in my bi-weekly water changes, started with 25 gallons and I'm now adding for 75 gallons (my tank is 125) I think I will stop at 75g dose since I'm getting around 8.2 readings but I will definately do this for every water change, I was told the fish do suffer when there are huge fluctuations, I'm not an expert...
Do you use it at every water change or only when needed?

I ask this because I have noticed for some odd reason that sometimes I do a water change (usually 25%) and the pH drops and other times it doesn't. If it doesn't drop I don't want to add more buffer and get it any higher, but when it does drop I add the buffer.

Does this seem like a good tactic?

I just don't understand why it's only needed sometimes... perhaps my tap water fluctuates?

How harmful is it to mbuna if the pH fluctuates a few points from time to time?[/quote]

 

[Floridagirl]

For every 5 gallons of water during your water change, add 1tsp aquarium salt, 1tsp baking soda, 1 tbsp epsom salt. You will always keep a similar ph this way. For example, if you have a 100 gallon tank, and do a 25% change, you make enough mixture to do 25 gallons and add it to the water slowly, as you put it in the tank. Hope this helps!