Cichlid buffer

[bassmaster]

What does everyone use to buffer his or her water and does anyone make his or her own buffer? I got a recipe for one and was going to try it

[masroberts9]

i use holey rock and crushed coral. the seachem stuff doesnt work for long. i have always heard it is a waste of time.

[Haiven]

When I first started keeping fish I buffered and adjusted, etc., and lost many fish. Turns out the ph roller coaster is harder on them than the tap water.

Now I don't add anything to buffer the water or adjust ph. My fish get used to what comes out of my tap and thrive.

That's just my experience. See what everyone else has to say.

[dcacjc]

I agree with Haiven, keep the water parameters consistant and your fish will thank you.

[bra8ndy8]

x3......that's what I do!

[fishyjoe24]

I guess I got lucky I used the buffer when I had cichlids in a 55 gallon, then sold it and took the cichlids to some lfs for credit.

[bassmaster]

thanks guys

[flamenco-t]

PH buffer is your good ol arm& hammer baking soda.

If you eliminate the moisture ( by baking it for 30 minutes), the solutions will raise both PH and KH (hardness or bicarbonate)

If you dose it as is without baking it, you'll only raise hardness and have very little effect on PH.

I have been doing this for years, the only thing that you have to watch for it HOW MUCH TO DOSE..

Starts with 250gram of baking soda first, dilute it in 1 gallon of water.

Now, grab your test kit (PH and KH) and do initial test.

add 5ml and test for both number, NOTHING ? Repeat for another 5 ML, NOTHING AGAIN ? Repeat until your test shows different result from your baseline.

If it takes 15 ML to raise it PH by .2 and KH by 1 degree, then you have your dosage.

Need to lower PH ? use distilled white vinegar.

Unless the number are on one extreme or the others, leave it alone...all your captive breed fish can handle a wide range of environment.

stan