Need to raise buffering capacity (alkalinity)

[val]

Hey all,
I was doing a water check and my alkalinity is 80 ppm and I need to raise it to at least 120 ppm so I can get a steady ph reading.(right?) Is there any product that will raise my buffering capacity so I can get to 7.0 ph?

Hope I know what I'm talking about ,
Valerie

 

[impur]

Why do you need it at 7? What kinda fish do you have?

There are several ways to buffer PH but first you should consider why you want a perfect 7.0. What does it come out of your tap at? I have always found that keeping the ph steady in the tank is the best way to help your fish flourish. My ph is at 7.6, i keep gouramis, cichlids, clown loaches, and giant danios. There is no guarantee that you can buffer the ph to exactly 7.0, in fact its nearly impossible. So that means one week you may buffer it to 7.2, then the next 6.6. This just causes more stress for the fish. What is the ph in your tank now? Answer these few questions for me so we can see if you really need to buffer it.

 

[val]

Yesterday, it was at 6.4. I need to get at 7.0 because my starter fish are platies, the cichlids that are coming need 6.8-8.0 and I think that's what the Sailfin Pleco needs, too. I thought I could keep it simple at 7.0. Also, I bought this powder called Ph 7.0 but that doesn't seem to be working. When it comes out of the tap it's at 7.0! If this is impossible, if I could get it somewhere around 7.0 I'd be happy.

Valerie

 

[Flippin'thing bit me eye]

Val wait!, the ph powder will do harm as it doesn't act as a sensible buffer therefore constant fluctuations in PH will occur with every water change.
Water from the tap changes after 24 hours so leave some tap water to stand overnight and then test it.
The best thing I have found for buffering is either arrogonite or crushed coral in the substrate and some ph stones for decor, since using these items i have had no problems.
Remember , chemicals are baaadd

 

[impur]

If its 7 out of the tap, just take the tap water, add some dechlorinator, let it mix for 5 minutes and add it to the tank. If you do maybe 10-15% WC a day, that will slowly raise your PH in your tank. Or as FTBME sez, crushed coral is easily obtained and works fine.

 

[val]

I'll start looking around for some crushed coral, arrogonite, and ph stones.

thanks a bunch,
Valerie

 

[cool_jool]

Hi I'm a newbie, but I thinks your probably stressing too much about pH. I also think chemicals are bad - and I'm a chemistry teacher!! Thanks for responding to my temp query. Why don't you like Oklahoma? cool_jool

 

[dolphin]

Hi Val

The product you are looking for is Ment Marine KH bufer. Despite the name it is for freshwater. With this you can set the KH to any desired level. IMO the best product on the market for this job.

 

[val]

cj, if you'd lived in Oklahoma 14 years you would know.
I called around to some lfs-es and they said that the rocks you recommended wouldn't have that much of an effect on the alkalinity. I read that you could use limestone? I'll try to find that Marine buffer, see what that's like. Maybe I am stressing too much. I guess I'll just have to decide what I want to do.

thanks for all the help,
Valerie

 

[OKCAA]

Awh.. come on now Val.. OK isn't that bad...
well, ok.. its a bit slow here...
as for your buffering capacity.. the typical water parameters in the parts of OK that I've lived in are always more than adequate.. adn since we're only talking about a Pleco.. the 7 pH would be just fine.. I keep South American dwarf cichlids in straight tap (cut w/ rainwater) and they do great... course i keep live plants and that helps.. and they like lower than 7.. .most ppl around here keep African cichlids too and in straight tap...
I agree on the evils of the powders.. many contain phosphates which can lead to algae outbreaks.. (esp hair algae)...

if you're in the OKC area u should ck out our club.. we meet every third Saturday and there's always a presentation or event and an auction following.. great way to pick up some cool fish for cheap!

Good Luck
Joe -OKC

Longest Running Aquarium Club in Oklahoma - Since 1949!
Oklahoma City Aquarium Association
http/petsforum.com/okcaa/
http/groups.yahoo.com/group/OK-AquariumAssociation/

 

[smb]

The Sooners Rule!!!