PH Buffers

[j0hnh0lmes]

Since I couldn't find one topic to cover all the buffers I'd figure I'd start one. Please help out as much as possible. Do not include liquid/powder "buffers" as these do not keep the ph stable! Please sticky this topic to help future members.

:22:

PH UP
Crushed Coral
Sea Shell
Limestone

PH DOWN
Bog wood / Drift Wood
Peat Moss (Used as a filtration agent)

[jimw/oscar]

Since I couldn't find one topic to cover all the buffers I'd figure I'd start one. Please help out as much as possible. Do not include liquid/powder "buffers" as these do not keep the ph stable! Please sticky this topic to help future members.

:22:

PH UP
Crushed Coral
Sea Shell
Limestone

PH DOWN
Bog wood / Drift Wood
Peat Moss (Used as a filtration agent)


I've used Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Proper P.H. for years and it's always kept my tank right at 7.2 using a mixture of their pH 7.0 + pH 7.5. I've been told using peat moss is difficult keeping the pH stable.

[Sarkazmo]

Crushed oyster shell can be gotten from farm and feed stores. You have to rinse it like crazy but it's cheap, you get a huge amount, and it works.

Sark

[rhonin]

This is based on what I am seeing in my setups. Initial water pH is 7.6 - 7.8


Drift Wood: Use this in my Oscar tank. While it will lower the pH by a couple of tenths (about .2 to .4) it won't do much beyond that. Has been steady in this range for approx 3 months.

Coral Sand: Use this in my Tanganyikan setup. Sizes 3 and 5. Will raise pH by .4 to .8. This is using 10lbs of crushed coral in a 100 gallon tank. Has been steady in this range for 1 month.

:22:

[j0hnh0lmes]

I've used Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Proper P.H. for years and it's always kept my tank right at 7.2 using a mixture of their pH 7.0 + pH 7.5. I've been told using peat moss is difficult keeping the pH stable.


Yes, but you have to add it after every water change. I'm just trying to make it simple. :shrug:

[tanks4thememories]

PH UP
Crushed Coral
Sea Shell
Limestone

PH DOWN
Bog wood / Drift Wood
Peat Moss (Used as a filtration agent)

There is really no secret super stuff that I've ever herd of. You basically listed all the: major, stable, "fire and forget", PH modifiers above...:)
One of my favorite "guides/rules of thumb" - Let your fish decide the size of your tank and let your type of water decide your fish. Of course that does not apply if you want specific fish or have horrible water..lol, then you create the water conditions they need.:hmm3grin2orange:

[j0hnh0lmes]

There is really no secret super stuff that I've ever herd of. You basically listed all the: major, stable, "fire and forget", PH modifiers above...:)
One of my favorite "guides/rules of thumb" - Let your fish decide the size of your tank and let your type of water decide your fish. Of cource that does not apply if you want specific fish then you create the water conditions they need.


I know what you mean. I want to house some blue german's & angels in the new 55 but my ph is just a tad high. I'm thinking driftwood will bring it down just enough.

My ph is usually 7.2-7.4

[Wild Turkey]

UP
Crushed Coral, or any dead coral really.
Limestone
Texas Holy Rock
Shells of any kind
Any kind of substrate designed for africans
Baking soda (IIRC)


DOWN

R/O Water added
Rain Water added
Lava Rock (some say otherwise, inert)
Peat Or Peat Nuggets
Some plant substrates
Tannins
CO2

Those are all I could think of the top of my head

[jimw/oscar]

Yes, but you have to add it after every water change. I'm just trying to make it simple. :shrug:


Yeah but it's not so hard adding it every water change and it's pretty precise. The cost can add up, recently I had an ammonia spike and had to add the pH powder for each of multiple partial water changes - that sucked.

[j0hnh0lmes]

Yeah but it's not so hard adding it every water change and it's pretty precise. The cost can add up, recently I had an ammonia spike and had to add the pH powder for each of multiple partial water changes - that sucked.


Ouch. My exact reason for looking for a drop and forget list. That would break the bank for me right now. (Job looks shaky :scry: )