Buffer to raise ph

[tito206]

your pH could very well be lower than 7.4 since thats the lowest reading for the high range pH test. i am going off the master liquid test kits you see in LFS. a full point over the course of 4 to 7 days is quite a swing. try getting a regular pH test reading too and see if its even lower.

limestone and holey rock will raise the pH and KH of the water. not sure about GH. the limestone emits calcium carbonate into the water to buffer it more naturally over time. it will usually only result in a few decimal point increase, but will keep it at that level more consistently. the rock can do more depending on the chemistry of the water.

i found this article helpful in the past:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/rock_metals.php

i use baking soda in a pinch if i see the pH is low, but it will only be a temporary fix and you would need to keep monitoring it. small doses as needed. add it carefully as it will swing the pH quickly if you use too much. the pH will settle again so going back and forth in pH can stress the fish.

its 7.6 on the low end and 7.4 on the high end

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[morpheus]

your pH could very well be lower than 7.4 since thats the lowest reading for the high range pH test. i am going off the master liquid test kits you see in LFS. a full point over the course of 4 to 7 days is quite a swing. try getting a regular pH test reading too and see if its even lower.

limestone and holey rock will raise the pH and KH of the water. not sure about GH. the limestone emits calcium carbonate into the water to buffer it more naturally over time. it will usually only result in a few decimal point increase, but will keep it at that level more consistently. the rock can do more depending on the chemistry of the water.

i found this article helpful in the past:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/rock_metals.php

i use baking soda in a pinch if i see the pH is low, but it will only be a temporary fix and you would need to keep monitoring it. small doses as needed. add it carefully as it will swing the pH quickly if you use too much. the pH will settle again so going back and forth in pH can stress the fish.

[tito206]

I'm pretty sure limestone will not sure about holey rock though

Ok thanks

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[LordBarron7692]

I'm pretty sure limestone will not sure about holey rock though

[tito206]

ahh ok yeah you're probably gonna want to try using baking soda or get like a 55 gal drum and put either limestone or crush coral in it and use that as you change water cause I don't think the buffer will be a long term fix for you

Ok thanks would limestone or holey rocks raise the gh and kh too?

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[LordBarron7692]

ahh ok yeah you're probably gonna want to try using baking soda or get like a 55 gal drum and put either limestone or crush coral in it and use that as you change water cause I don't think the buffer will be a long term fix for you

[tito206]

do you use a water softener for the house or are you on well water? most city of Houston water is gonna be around 8.0 or so.

I'm on well water it comes out of tap at 7.6

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[LordBarron7692]

do you use a water softener for the house or are you on well water? most city of Houston water is gonna be around 8.0 or so.

[tito206]

wow ok so what is it before a water change.

It is at 8.4

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[LordBarron7692]

wow ok so what is it before a water change.

[tito206]

what size tank is it? Have you taken a ph reading on the tank after a water change?

It's a 90 gallon tank and yes I have done a ph reading on the tank after a pwc it reads 7.4 on the high range

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[LordBarron7692]

what size tank is it? Have you taken a ph reading on the tank after a water change?

[tito206]

well how have the fish been reacting to water changes, and how often do you do a water change?

They swim away fast and hide I do a 25 to 30% water change like every 4 to 7 days cause I'm trying to bring my nitrates down

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[LordBarron7692]

well how have the fish been reacting to water changes, and how often do you do a water change?

[morpheus]

personally i dont really chase the perfect pH. a stable pH is more important.

mbunas adapt very well to many different pH levels. my tap is 8.0 as well, but the pH does settle a little below that over time. my mbunas still do great. i did add some larger chunks of limestone/coral rock too just to keep it elevated. i also have large pieces of driftwood, which can lower my pH so the rocks offset it. i think i am around that 7.6 range.

adding buffers may or may not work. it depends on your hardness (KH). if you have hard water, like most of houston, it will resist pH change and settle in its own zone over time no matter how much buffer you add.