Ph buffer
- Thread starter jba6511
- Start date
aztec reef
Active Member
i wouldn't use it untill you get the test kit for it.
bellebelle
Member
I wouldn't use it either...it made my ph go up to 9.0 !!! Yes I used the right amount.
volitan_fa
Member
What brand is it? Some buffers are hard to overdose, others require a lot of precision...
reefforbrains
Active Member
PH a little low is normal if lights are out in the tank, or you just took reading when you woke up in the morning ect. Buffering PH is normally a band-aid. The actual cause might just be the natural daily cycle of flux and your timing when you tested.
Keeping your Ca and other major elements stable should push and pull your PH to where it needs to be. Within 7.6-8.6 I wouldnt worry, just retest at a few different times of day. If low, then first check your Ca, bet its low too. Adjust it first and all will most likley work itself correct JMO
Keeping your Ca and other major elements stable should push and pull your PH to where it needs to be. Within 7.6-8.6 I wouldnt worry, just retest at a few different times of day. If low, then first check your Ca, bet its low too. Adjust it first and all will most likley work itself correct JMO
earlybird
Active Member
The very successful reef keepers on here never buffer for pH. They use buffers to raise their alk and drip lime water (kalkwasser) to help maintain calcium. Most if not all salt mixes have buffers in them and if you don't have corals that deplete your calcium, simple weekly water changes should maintain your pH. If you have a sump/fuge with chaeto in it you can run your lighting schedule over your macro opposite that of your DT to keep photosynthesis going and eliminating or reducing pH swings.
jba6511
Member
it is Kent marine supperbuffer-dKH. I'll wait until I check the ph before deciding to do anything. I am a little worried since it will be used (if used at all) in a 10 gallon. I'll report back tomorrow after I get a test kit. Has anyone used this brand before? says it is for ph and alkalinity or carbonate hardness buffer.
forgor to mention I do not have any corals, just fish, cuc, lr and live sand
forgor to mention I do not have any corals, just fish, cuc, lr and live sand
reefforbrains
Active Member
8.0 is fine. No need to buffer. Hundred ways to increase PH but why do any of them when your within normal spec..
Someone will now undoubtably come out of the woodwork and tell you "blah blah blah everything will die unless you maintain a perfect 8.3PH" tell them to worry about thier own tank and stop regurgitating what they read on product labels. True, a tiny bit higher would be good, but you are in no danger at all running 8.0
If your not running a RO unit then test your tap water to get a baseline. Also test your premixed salt assuming you mix it the day before. See where everything is BEFORE you add it to the tank. On a 10g Fish only, water changes and a nice light cycle without overcrowding and routing maint should keep your PH just fine with no need for any buffers or other chemicals. Just routine WC and good practices.
Someone will now undoubtably come out of the woodwork and tell you "blah blah blah everything will die unless you maintain a perfect 8.3PH" tell them to worry about thier own tank and stop regurgitating what they read on product labels. True, a tiny bit higher would be good, but you are in no danger at all running 8.0
If your not running a RO unit then test your tap water to get a baseline. Also test your premixed salt assuming you mix it the day before. See where everything is BEFORE you add it to the tank. On a 10g Fish only, water changes and a nice light cycle without overcrowding and routing maint should keep your PH just fine with no need for any buffers or other chemicals. Just routine WC and good practices.
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by jba6511
ph is 8.0. Should I use the buffer? Any other ways to raise PH? Water change tomorrow.
No, don't use a buffer. What is the PH of the water source you have and what salt are you using?
ph is 8.0. Should I use the buffer? Any other ways to raise PH? Water change tomorrow.
No, don't use a buffer. What is the PH of the water source you have and what salt are you using?
