Quote:
Originally Posted by jords
This is in regards to I think the 1st reply on this thread (about pH buffers)...
IMO, I wouldn't use them. It causes huge swings in the pH levels of the tank, which isn't good. Clearly, something is happening to drop the pH levels. Adding a pH buffer to the tank will yes, raise your pH, but then it's just going to drop again. I'd look at your rock (base and live), is it cooked+cured? Test the pH of your top-off water (which should be RO/DI anyway). Also has your pH always been that low? Look at your salt mix. Is the brand "Top Fin" (from Petsmart). If it is, just throw it out now - that stuff is nothing but problems in my experience. Avoid at all costs the use of pH buffers - you shouldn't raise the pH more than 0.2 in 24 hours anyway, so it's going to take you a long time to bring it up - and if something is happening to lower it anyway, you're just going to create big swings in the pH, which is terrible for tanks (especially for your RBTA). Also, do some big water changes (depending on your live rock situation and length of time you've had this set up). I'd be doing like 20% every 2 days or so to bring those nitrates/nitrites down. And as mentioned above, test the alkalinity.
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Sorry rag on you but I've got to disagree with you on the buffers, man. While I personally don't normally advocate buffers as there are much more effective ways to stabilize pH, this is a situation where it might be necessary to pull levels back into the safe zone. pH 7.4 is about the point where corals start to drop like flies. A buffer
can cause a big swing... if you dump a whole bunch in. If you take it slow (ie. 0.2/ day) you'll be fine (hence why I suggested talking to Jon as he's a pro with buffers). Once you've reached the pH the buffer works at and only need to make small additions everyday, they actually work amazingly well for holding the pH steady; especially for someone who has no other way of controlling the calc, alk and pH (kalkwasser, 2-part, calc reactor, etc.). My assessment of the situation tells me that suggesting the more complicated means of fixing pH isn't going to do a lot of good for this reefkeeper.
I agree with the water changes. Lots of them. You have no liverock in there to denitrify and that alone is probably a major contributor to the goings on of that tank. If you've been doing fairly frequent water changes, they're probably not doing a whole lot for your pH, in which case you should consider some way or rectifying the problem... a buffer would be the bare minimum. Either it's a crappy salt or you've got a more fundamental issue at hand (ie. poor ventilation of the room, low oxygen exchange at the water surface, etc.)
11-16-2012, 05:24 PM
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