Confuseded on pH...

[HarleyK]

she already has a tank and the test strips [...] I'm worried about pH swings.

The key question is: Does Magan see fluctuations? If not, I wouldn't worry about it!
But if you want to be on the safe side: There are water conditioners available to increase hardness. I've never used one, though.

Good choice on the move , long distance sucks!

HarleyK

 

[Peanut_Power]

Magan is a NEW fish keeper.......so she didn't know to look for it till she mentioned that her fish were acting screwy after a water change and i told her to check. When she told me the parameters I knew it had to do with the pH swinging...she almost lost a cory....was swimmin eratic and whatnot

 

[Jesse]

yeah, thing is i don't want the crushed coral to bump the pH......thats the only thing i am worried about...and i want to drop the pH...so the crushed coral will kinda negate the peat....don't cha think? I dunno...

Just don't add too much crushed coral, i.e., no more than 5% of your substrate, and you should be fine, except for the fact that you'll no longer be able to buy Runzas in MS.

 

[Miles]

Other methods of buffering your alkalinity perhaps? I have heard alot of longtime fishkeepers talk about the glory of baking soda as a buffer..? Never wanted to mess with the stuff myself.

 

[Peanut_Power]

Just don't add too much crushed coral, i.e., no more than 5% of your substrate, and you should be fine, except for the fact that you'll no longer be able to buy Runzas in MS.

eh, I don't eat there any way...lol...but my rents and sisters will still be living in Nebraska...so not all bridges are burnt! Did you know that Dorathy Lynch Salad Dressing (orange) is only made in Nebraska? how kewl is that?! I just found that out last week. Not too fond of it, but its not bad either...lol