Correct Tang Water Parameters? Buffer?

[olliesshop]

I'm trying to decide if should continue using Seachem's Lake Tanganyika Buffer. 

I've been using it for the last 3 years or so, with my N. Brichardi, and kept the pH from 7.5 to 7.8 and the dH from 12 to 18.  But when I recently got my Julidochromis transcriptus and Cyprichromis coloratus I did research online that said the pH should be 8.4 to 8.6.  That then led me to increase the Tang Buffer until I got the pH in the 8.5 range, but I didn't check the dH ... big mistake.  So I re-calibrated my dH meter (which I found out was reading significantly low) and ended up registering dH of 24!  This is about twice of the 10-12 range that I found during my research online.  Obviously I'm in the process of bringing it down, over the next week or two.

So first, what is the agreed upon correct water parameters for Lake Tanganyika?

And second, do you generally use a buffer to get those parameters or do you accept the water as it is?

Thanks for any guidance you can lend.

[jcunningham0295]

What is your parameters out of your tap?  I don't use any buffer with my tangs and have over 20 tanks with just tangs including cyps, julies, xenos, featherfins, fronts, gobies, and tropheus.  I just add some salt with water changes and dechlor and have no issues.

[olliesshop]

I've never actually measured them right out of the tap, so I think I'll do that now.  I'm guessing the pH will be in the mid 7's, but I'll do the full tests to find out pH and others.

Thank you!

[olliesshop]

OK fresh from testing, here are the water parameters out of my tap.

pH - 7.12
dH - 13.9 degrees
kH - 5 degrees
gH - 9 degrees
NH3 - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 2.5 ppm
Oxygen - 8 ppm

An interesting point, when I tested the tank water yesterday morning (after the water change) the dH was 20.  Now, a day and a half later, it's increased to dH 22.  I'm wondering if my two big Texas Holey Rocks are increasing the hardness by that much in my 125g?

[olliesshop]

I just did another water change and the pH is 7.8 and the dH is hanging around 15.  So if the pH is OK being 7.8 then it appears I shouldn't be adding any buffer.  Hopefully that will make for happier fish.

[jcunningham0295]

Ph of 7.8 is fine for tangs.

[lohachata]

i have always used dolomite or crushed limestone from the local landscape supply place for my Africans....it maintains the PH at 8.4 to 8.6 without the need for any other chemicals...it is also very economical to use at about $25.00 per ton..

[olliesshop]

Thanks ...that's great news! 

Since I have 2 large Texas Holey Rocks in the tank, they hopefully will keep the pH and the dH in range without the buffer.

All the best