|how To Buffer Ph Without Affecting Co2

[BigIan]

How would i go about buffering the Ph of my tank without affecting the co2?
I know that adding crushed clam shells would release calcium into the water witch i believe will neutralise the Co2.
How does bicarbonate of soda work to buffer the ph?

 

[George Farmer]

Ian, what is your tap KH?

Don't worry about low pH with Aqua Soil. If you have a KH of 2 degrees or more then you should be fine. Regular water changes (50% weekly with EI) will prevent crashing.

Aqua Soil, as you are now well aware, does "mess" with water chemistry. Try to see passed this and not worry yourself with testing too much.

If you have plenty of CO2 (2 BPS is a good starting point, as you are running if I remember rightly), Aqua Soil and EI then your plants will be fine. Your regular water changes will keep things stable and your fish will love the fast growing plants.

If you need to boost KH then baking soda (not bi-carb, they are different) will work. 1 teaspoon per 100 l. will raise KH by approx 1 degree.

 

[BigIan]

the tap Kh is roughl between 3 and 4 degrees

i was planning a large water change today in the hope that i would mop up most of the ammonia ect leached my the AS and hopefully the tank would settle a little

 

[Chad14]

If you need to boost KH then baking soda (not bi-carb, they are different) will work.

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3).

 

[Chad14]

Buffering capacity and pH Calculator

http/dataguru.org/misc/aquarium/calKH.asp

 

[BigIan]

cheers chad but unfortunately that page has a run time error

 

[Chad14]

cheers chad but unfortunately that page has a run time error

Just tested the link BigIan it works fine for me

 

[Miss Wiggle]

cheers chad but unfortunately that page has a run time error

Just tested the link BigIan it works fine for me

works for me too