Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Peter on October 10, 2012 at 11:04am

you can use a buffer to make the ph not drop as much but u want your co2 levels at 30ppm 

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Permalink Reply by Brian Dowling on October 10, 2012 at 11:09am

Looking at the chart based on kH, I'm at 15. How do I buffer the tank so the pH doesn't drop as much? I used backing soda in the reactor mixture, about 1/2 teaspoon worth. Is that where I buffer it?

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Permalink Reply by LED on October 10, 2012 at 12:21pm

no your tanks water needs more buffer.  you can use a pH up solution or you can use very little amount of baking soda.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Dowling on October 11, 2012 at 9:13am

So I stopped by Petsmart last night to get some buffer. They only had one powder form of buffer, API proper pH 7.0. On the label I read "do not use with live plants. None of the liquid buffers said if it was safe or not. Any suggestions on what kind to use?

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Permalink Reply by ŦůRbö ۰ Ҏяѻ ۰ on October 12, 2012 at 7:50pm

That stuff sucks and will kill all plants; plus you have to use it with every water change, and use the exact same amount, a grain to much will throw everything out of wack. I would just leave everthing alone.

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Permalink Reply by Balaam ramirez on October 12, 2012 at 1:44am

When you introduce co2 into a tank its going to drop, no matter what you. A ph drop due to co2 injection doesn't harm the fish. What you need to worry about is your kH. Just make sure it 4 or higher and you should be good. My tape water is 7.5 and normally drops to 6.5-6.8 when my co2 is on.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on October 12, 2012 at 2:52am

The Angels don't care if the PH is 7.6 or 7.0. They do care that you're adding dangerous chemicals and poisonous Co2 (in large amounts) to the water. PH comes into play only if you're trying to breed very difficult fish. Even Discus, a notoriously difficult fish, has begun breeding in alkaline water.   

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Permalink Reply by Brian Dowling on October 12, 2012 at 9:02am

Thanks, good to know Balaam and Robert.

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Permalink Reply by Balaam ramirez on October 12, 2012 at 12:50pm

FYI a lot of those ph buffer (API proper ph 7.0) are high in phosphates and will lead to an algae bloom. If you really need to add a buffer try to stick with sea shells or baking soda.

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Permalink Reply by LED on October 13, 2012 at 2:08pm

pH swings do affect fish which is why people say that when you're changing your pH dont change it more than .5pH in a 24 hour period.  Now I DO know that many fish can tollarate it but I dont think that saying it wont affect your fish is not entirely correct.  Their behavior may change, but whether thats good or bad is dependent on the fish.  BUT when adding co2 to your planted tank, obviously you want a decent amount of co2 (usually max of 30ppm).  Because you're adding co2 to your tank the pH will drop as your co2 ppm increases

Mind you what im saying is only for informative reasons I'm not saying stop injecting co2 into your tank or to add TONS of buffer.  if you're fish and plants look fine, you dont see an alarming negative change in your fish and plants then there's no reason to be worried at this time.

As for KH and GH and CO2 they are all related.  Carbonate hardness and CO2 are very much related see this table 

http://www.freshwateraquariumplants.com/carbondioxidechart.html

another to see how they are related is this

http://water.me.vccs.edu/courses/env211/changes/carbonategraph.gif

at around 6.5pH that is where carbonates and co2 are in equal parts in your water.  So they are related. pH, KH, CO2 are very much related =)

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