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!!
Mods, please feel free to move it if necessary.
Thanks!!
Those of you who use a pH buffer recipe...
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?
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?
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
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.
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.
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]
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]
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!
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
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