PH Buffers...

[Andrewz00]

besides PWCs.... how else would you boost PH buffers?

 

[Andrewz00]

bump

 

[Andrewz00]

really? no takers?

 

[Kubuspuchat3k]

Do not add buffers hehe, i just had 10 fish die due to adding buffers, One thing that seems to work is taking a small filter bag and putting about a cup of crushed coral into you filter, If you wait another day i will let you know exactly how it works out for me, my PH was at 6.2 2 days ago and its up to 7.2 no, The problem i have is that it fluctuates, by . 5 or so. I will let you know tomorrow what happens.

 

[fort384]

Why do you want to add buffers? Are you starting with distilled or ro/di water?

There are specialty products out there for this, but most tap water is suitable for fish.

 

[Andrewz00]

tank has been established for almost a year... and in the past 2 weeks the PH has been dropping to 6 or below.... i do a 60% pwc and within 24hrs its back down to 6...

i tested KH and its 50 or less ppm.... which is leading me to believe that the ph buffer levels in the tank are shot.....

NH3 = 0
NO2 = 0
NO3 less then 5 ppm

all of this is leading me to believe i either need to start using ferts for the plants and/or add some type of PH buffers...

 

[BigJim]

Unless you're filling the tank with RO/DI water during PWCs, you're replacing your buffers. CO2 will lower your pH. If you're running it, I would look at your system.

 

[Andrewz00]

Hey Jim! About time you chimed in! lol

no CO2 (a weekly dose of Flourish Excel)... currently no ferts.... i do have DW and i know that can lower PH but its also been in there for the better part of a year now. plain gravel substrate

tap PH = 6.6 - 6.8

anything else that could be lowering KH? and/or killing buffers?

do nitrates act as buffers? should i start using ferts? would that raise nitrates and buffers? so confused...

 

[BigJim]

I've been having computer troubles.

How tightly does your top fit? If your top fits very tightly and you've got a heavy fish load, the CO2 from respiration may be causing the drop.

I'm not well versed in hardness, so I hesitate to comment there.

Dosing ferts are always a good thing in a planted tank if you don't overdo things.

 

[Andrewz00]

its a versa top.... has some cuts in the back for filter tubes, powerhead/heater cords... i would be hard pressed to imagine it being air tight... and i do run a powerhead with a snorkel over night when the lights are off to difuse air into the water column....