Buffers

[roderickc]

Hi Guys

I have been doing some research on buffers for my Malawi tanks. I have been reading up on the Epsom salt, bicarb and salt mix, which seems to be easy to understand. I know that some guys do use it but how much do you add and is it better to just get the of the self buffers?

[Rudi]

I'm not a Malawi keeper or expert,but I buffer my planted tanks with crushed corral.Keeps the Ph and KH from dropping.

[Viskos]

Hi

I use salt, bicarb of soda (PH/KH), and Epsom Salts (GH) in all my Malawi tanks. Found that it works better than the ones I buy from the shop and it is much more affordable.

Regards,

Viskos

[roderickc]

Hi Viskos

I was chatting to the prof about the buffers that are commerically sold at our LPS and he says that we should not use to much epsom salt, hey but who am i to say if it has been working for you. I am not sure about the quanity though.

The problem is the amount that you are using will not work for me cause of the different municipal water supplys in our area.

[Viskos]

It does work for me currently. My fish are breeding and seem happy.

The prepared cichlid salts you buy also contains the magnesium that Epsom salts does but it buffers the water at about 8 ph and epsom salts at 7.6 ph. I think it is dangerous to use both, because of too much magnesium. Epsom raises my water GH to 12 from 7 and I use 0.5 teaspoon per 30 litres of new water.

I use a teaspoon Bicarb per 30 litres of new water and it raises my ph from 7.6 ph to 8.2 ph

Never add it directly to the tank though, it disturbs the water parameters too much:-)

[Xtreme Wife]

All I did was add some crushed coral, made them some homes with shells and they are very happy. Breeding like crazy. I do not like to add buffers to my tanks, to much will kill them and you have a low PH the one moment and a high one the next.Just my opinion...if it works for you, then go 4 it!!

[roderickc]

We always look for the best for our fish and try maintain the best possible natural environment for them, but what about the trace elements that they do not get from our local water supply?