PH Buffer Question

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J

Juice79

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Oct 20, 2008
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Hi Guys...At some point in the near future I will be converting my community tank into an African Tank. I currently have white sand as substrate and love the look. I was told my my LFS that in order to get the PH to the appropriate levels I would need to change it out to Crushed Coral and add some appropriate rock. Current Tap water PH is 7.2. Do you guys think it is possible to get to the necessary PH with just rock. I was thinking of doing a sand/crushed coral combo as well...I think that should work. What are you guys with sand doing to raise you PH?

Thanks
Erik
 
I'm just using a little seachem buffer, comes out of the tap at 7.6 I have pool sand and slate and have not had any problems maitaining the high ph. I add around two table spoons of buffer after my weekly water change of 25%
 
I have extremely soft water so I use a Seachem buffer and I also use wonder shells...The combo of those keeps mt GH and KH in check. Without those products my KH and GH are VERY low to nonexisistent. I don't see a problem in keeping your sand.
 
How big is your tank? I use sand and crushed coral in my African tanks. I also have coral in my sump, ph stays between 8.2-8.5 or you could try Holy Rock.
 
Sorry forgot to add tank is a 55. I was thinking of trying the sand/crushed coral mix and maybe some in little bags in my two AC 70s
 
Give it a try. Try not to mix it in with your sand. Just put it on top (will mix over time). I would start with 20lbs (take some sand out if needed). rinse it really good and let it sit overnight in a bucket. Maybe test it before adding to your tank. You will still need a ph buffer for water changes. The coral will keeps the ph at a steady level. GL

Juice79;2438462; said:
Sorry forgot to add tank is a 55. I was thinking of trying the sand/crushed coral mix and maybe some in little bags in my two AC 70s
Click to expand...
 
Erik,

All I can say is raise it slowly. I have 3 African tanks and use sand with crushed coral and the PH stays at 8+. The tap is about 7.5 in my neck of the woods.

I don't think you will need to keep the CC in you in your filter. Just start with some CC in the substrate and monitor the PH, adding as needed.

The tank will be much more interesting keeping Africans as opposed to a community tank, you'll love it!
 
1974Pantera;2438632; said:
Erik,

All I can say is raise it slowly. I have 3 African tanks and use sand with crushed coral and the PH stays at 8+. The tap is about 7.5 in my neck of the woods.

I don't think you will need to keep the CC in you in your filter. Just start with some CC in the substrate and monitor the PH, adding as needed.

The tank will be much more interesting keeping Africans as opposed to a community tank, you'll love it!
Click to expand...

Yeah I cant wait...It looks like I will be mixing it with the sand. That combined with the rocks should get me where I need to be. Thanks again guys

Erik
 
most my tanks have sand/crushed coral mix, thats the only way to go imo, and i use seachem buffer, many people here use the "stable is best" as an excuse not to buffer, but if you buffer correctly then it is stable and your fish will be all the happier for it :)
 
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