Buffering PH

[Steve]

I've noticed every since I added a 2nd large piece of wood to the Mbuna tank about 4-5 days ago that some of the fish have been shaking their heads and flashing here and there. Obviously first thought was ich but I'm 99% sure that's not it. I read that a change in PH, especially a drop in Ph can cause fish to flash and shake their heads like this so I tested the water and sure enough it's dropped down to about 6.8ph

What do you guys that do buffer use to raise your Ph? I've read most people use their own recipes since commercial product for this can be costly over time.

[TrailerParkFishTanks]

I have some crushed coral that helps buffer mine.

[four_by_ken]

Be careful... I got intimate horrible circle of additives when I was using softened water.





Holy rock.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

I've noticed every since I added a 2nd large piece of wood to the Mbuna tank about 4-5 days ago that some of the fish have been shaking their heads and flashing here and there. Obviously first thought was ich but I'm 99% sure that's not it. I read that a change in PH, especially a drop in Ph can cause fish to flash and shake their heads like this so I tested the water and sure enough it's dropped down to about 6.8ph

What do you guys that do buffer use to raise your Ph? I've read most people use their own recipes since commercial product for this can be costly over time.

Steve good post as I am experiencing this same behavior and I just added a piece of drift wood to my big tank.  Looks like I am going to be taking it out and adding in a fake piece of driftwood as Dan said he started doing on another post...

[Ron]

IMO use a passive method to buffer the pH like crushed coral or limestone rather than an active method such as a chemical powder sold specifically for increasing pH. Going the passive route, it's hard to overdue it for african cichlids. Going the active route, though I know you're very detail oriented, mis-measurement could lead to a pH spike too large and result in deaths. Over the years I've known a handful of experience aquarists who've accidently done this.

For a passive solution, I'd favor crushed coral or crushed limestone in a bag placed in a filter (furtherest towards the end if you have multiple media baskets/cambers). You want surface area and water flow over the buffering agent.

[Steve]

Okay glad I asked because I certainly don't want to do something that could possibly lead to fish deaths due to an error on my part that's for sure. If I did some crushed coral in one of my baskets of one of the canister filters, how much coral should I use? (tank is 55g). Also how long till the effects of the crushed coral are evident? Just wondering if I started adding it to the filter if it is something I would see the effects of in PH readings right away or if it would take some time?

[Ron]

The coral/limestone slowly dissolving over time is what helps buffer the water. Put in as much as you'd like because as best I recall, it's impossible to raise the pH too high with either of these. If you're going to test the pH, I'd wait at least a few days before testing, but would expect a gradual change over a much longer period (weeks).

[Steve]

Much appreciated help guys. Looks like another trip to the lfs today for a bag of crushed coral. One other question...will the crushed coral act as a filter media as well? Meaning since I have dual canisters on this tank (one Rena XP3 & one Rena XP4) if I were to replace one of the entire contents of a basket which currently has Matrix media in it with crushed coral, would the surface of the crushed coral colonize BB on it and act as a bio media like the Matrix media currently does? I just wanted to make sure I wont be hindering that filters ability to convert nitrates at all.

[four_by_ken]

My peacock tank has a little of wood,  but doesn't drop below 7.0.  I also have holy rock in there.

I wonder if the type of wood matters.  Mine in the sinking bog wood, or Amazon wood.

[Steve]

Picked up a 15lb bag of Florida crushed coral and just finished loading about 3/4 of a basket with it. Still have a bunch left so would it help at all just mixing some in to the substrate as well, or does it not do any good at all if its not in front of moving water?

[Ron]

Picked up a 15lb bag of Florida crushed coral and just finished loading about 3/4 of a basket with it. Still have a bunch left so would it help at all just mixing some in to the substrate as well, or does it not do any good at all if its not in front of moving water?

If you've ever dissolved sugar in hot water, here's an analogy. If you drop in a lump of sugar, but don't stir it, it'll dissolve slowly. If you stir it, it'll dissolve quicker. 

If you add it to the substrate, it will help some, but perhaps not as much. Then again it's not like you want the coral to dissapear quickly or you'll just have to keep buying more.  If you think it'll look good mixed into the substrate, then go for it! Otherwise, I don't think it's necessary. If you do mix it in and decide you wish you hadn't, it'll probably be a chore to get it back out.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Picked up a 15lb bag of Florida crushed coral and just finished loading about 3/4 of a basket with it. Still have a bunch left so would it help at all just mixing some in to the substrate as well, or does it not do any good at all if its not in front of moving water?

If you've ever dissolved sugar in hot water, here's an analogy. If you drop in a lump of sugar, but don't stir it, it'll dissolve slowly. If you stir it, it'll dissolve quicker. 

If you add it to the substrate, it will help some, but perhaps not as much. Then again it's not like you want the coral to dissolve quickly or you'll just have to keep buying more.  If you think it'll look good mixed into the substrate, then go for it! Otherwise, I don't think it's necessary. If you do mix it in and decide you wish you hadn't, it'll probably be a chore to get it back out.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but it was my understanding that you would use the crushed coral as your substrate....Would putting it in the filter release the buffering qualities quicker?  Also, is it like salt and dissolves but does not dissipate, or does the coral eventually dissipate from the water and thus you would have to replenish it frequently??

[four_by_ken]

I dont see the crushed coral dissolving for a LONG time.  LONG time.


Crushed coral works like holy rock... just naturally raises pH in the tank.

[Ron]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but it was my understanding that you would use the crushed coral as your substrate....Would putting it in the filter release the buffering qualities quicker?

Yes, it will act most quickly as a buffer when placed in a location of good flow, with as much surface area exposed as possible.

Also, is it like salt and dissolves but does not dissipate, or does the coral eventually dissipate from the water and thus you would have to replenish it frequently??

Crushed coral is largely calcium carbonate, which is a salt. It will only "dissipate" as the result of water changes.

[Steve]

Well the crushed coral seems to be doing the trick. My tap water is usually 7.6-7.8 right out of the tap. After 1 week when I do my weekely 50% WC it has been dropping to about 6.8-7.0.....After adding the CC 8 days ago I just checked the Ph right before doing a WC this afternoon and it is still 7.6 

Also does Ph effect the coloration of some fish? Because maybe it's just a coincidence, but the past week now I have been seeing some really nice blue & yellow colors starting to show up on one of my 3.5" OB peacocks which I have not seen on him before now.