Buffering RO H20?

[golgi aparatus]

Hello,
I am currently doing a 10% water change to my 55g FO tank with DO H20 from Wal-Mart. I have read different places about the need to "buffer" this RO water. What is this all about? And is this necessary?
Thanks for any help.

 

[reefnut]

Don't add a buffer. Some people think sense RO water has a low PH they need to add a buffer to bring the PH up. There is no need to do this and could just cause problems.

 

[golgi aparatus]

Thanks Reefnut. I did not really think that I needed to do this either. I am glad. This is the first time I have used RO water to do a water change. I am going to continue to do so in the future. I'll monitor my PH in the days to come to see if it needs to be adjusted.

 

[reefnut]

You're welcome... monitoring the tank is always a good idea!!

 

[dogstar]

Fresh water should have a pH around 7 anyway, after you add the salt and mix well, test the new mixed water and if it needs buffering to match the tank water then go ahead, but if your useing a quality salt brand then you should not need much buffering if any, if the tank has good levels too.