PH buffer question

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Angler

Angler

Polypterus
MFK Member
May 8, 2007
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I got some Lake Malawi Cichlids today. I told the lady at the store that I needed some PH buffer. She gave me the Seachem Tanganyika buffer and said it would be fine.

Will this be fine for Malawis? The Tang buffer raises the ph to 9-9.4. Is the only difference that it raises the PH higher than the Malawi buffer? If that's the case, then I should be able to use the Tang buffer but just use less, right?
 
I wouldn't use any buffers for Malawi's...you need to set your tank up with crushed coral substrate or aragonite sand and put a lot of rocks in your tank....this will harden your water up and your PH will go up as well...
 
As fallin49er said put some crushed coral and aragonite in there. It wont get PH to the "ideal" level, but will ensure your water is not too soft with a low PH. You dont really need the "ideal" level though chances are you will do much more harm due to PH swings than them living in a lower PH. They can adjust fine to lower PH in the 7's as long their are not rapid changes.
 
My PH out of the tap is 7.2...On my mbuna tank I have aragonite sand and lot's of rocks...my ph levels off at 7.8...which is just fine....also, make sure to really aerate the water...I have a sponge filter running as well as a powerhead agitating the surface...
 
Thanks for the input guys.

mike dunagan;3752122; said:
I do not use buffer at all. I keep it steady. What is your ph without it?
Click to expand...

I believe it is at about 7.4. I will test it again to verify. Will 7.4 be fine for them if? I'd rather not change my substrate.
 
Agreed. She shouldn't have told you that with neither of you knowing the pH, kh & gh of your current water. That's like buying a pair of shoes and not knowing what size you wear.
 
Well, I had assumed my tap water was in the low 7s. She didn't tell me to buy that stuff, I just thought I needed it.

I just tested my tap water, and, to my suprise, it is about 8. I guess I don't need to mess around w/ the ph at all.
 
Dont forget the pH in tap water is affected by alsorts of things, so one day it could be 8, the next day 7.3.


the best way to buffer your water, and raise the pH is to use bicarb and epsom salts.
The buffers you buy in a shop is exactly that, but 10 times the price.

My water is very soft, so I use 1xteaspoon of bicarb and 1x teaspoon of epsom salts per 20litres of water, and this raises the pH, gH and kH to desired levels.

The bicarb is like a quick fix, it raises the pH straight away, and the epsom salts buffer the water.

You wont get any pH crash with it, and your water params will remain stable.

It works a treat, and benefits the fish health too.
 
I'm starting a malawi tank and need to use buffers to get my water up to pH8. My tapwater has a pH of 6!! Will bicarbonate of soda be enough to get it to the required pH?
P.s. sorry for Hijacking this thread ):
 
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