Substrate that buffers iro 7.4-.7.6 ?

[tickle]

Hi, i see questions on buffering asked often but with kinda varied answers depending where you look.

I'm wandering what substrate will buffer in the region of 7.4 -7.6 most effectively?

From what i have picked up Arogonite / Coral Sand / Limestone are my options.

I read most coral sand is limestone, which starts to buffer at 7.6-7.8 and in turn does not buffer long. as when limestone gives off calcium it gets covered in a coat which stops it buffering.

I hear 7.6 - 7.8 for Arogonite mentioned in most topics, although i would have thought all calcium breaks down at the same point bang on.

However, eco-complete claims to kick in at i think 8.2, which apparantly uses aragonite as a buffer??

So what is the score with these substrates and which will help keep a ph around 7.4-7.6 the best? Maximum threshold i can swing to is 7.0-8.0 and only want the buffered substrate to safeguard a ph swing from driftwood as this is a small 10g tank and will contain shelled creatures.

My LFS, which is to say the least un-reliable with information tell me our tap water is nuetral and soft out of the tap.

 

[BadOleRoss]

Generally speaking, coral and eco complete tend to buffer water up and driftwood tends to buffer water down. I am using eco complete in my planted tank and the water stays at around 7.4-7.6. I also have a huge piece of driftwood in the tank as well.

 

[tickle]

you using eco complete cichlid or planted mix?

i want the buffering substrate mainly to offset the wood assuming my lfs was accurate about my ph.

Edit: Does the eco complete actually buffer to a higher ph than standard aragonite or is that sales patter / only if you buffer to 8+ first?