Rift Lake Buffer.

[Malak]

I want to make a rift lake buffer for my tank, my water's ph is decent, sitting at 7.8 but my water is soft, too soft.

I've heard of this recipe:

1 tablespoon of epsom salt
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of marine salt

For every 5 gallons of your tank.

I've found cheap epsom salt at the pharmacy and I already have baking soda. There was a huge cheap jar of sea salt at the pharmacy, could this replace marine salt, is it the same?

Also, is it a good idea to multiply that recipe by 11 (since I have a 55 gal) and add all at once or just do it over time slowly?

[legendaryfrog]

im not sure about that recipe, but personally, i wouldnt mess with these diy buffers.

Instead, I would purchase a bag of aragonite based saltwater sand (or malawi cichlid sand) and mix it in with what you already have. That would keep your KH, pH, and GH at the suggested levels.

[tarheels910]

Yea, I would just buy some instead of trying to make it.

[Coler]

I don't think you need an additive buffer, DIY or commercially availabe.

buffer using appropriate substrate, crushed coral in the filter, rockwork.

far more stable.

always remember that your fish have likely been born and bred in non 'ideal' water.

[Malak]

I already have the substrate, what kind of crushed coral could I add in the filter, though?

I've heard of breeders and some people over at cichlid-forum who swears the fishes look better and are more active with that kind of buffer.

[Coler]

add some of what you're using for substrate - put in in a mesh bag/piece of pantyhose if you like. probably will not have a huge effect as you're already using something similar as substrate.

I've read the reviews/views on the buffer mixes too - I can say hand on heart that I have no problem with the colours & health of my fish without using them, but its a fair point that a lot of people do.

[Xavi]

I want to make a rift lake buffer for my tank, my water's ph is decent, sitting at 7.8 but my water is soft, too soft.

I've heard of this recipe:

1 tablespoon of epsom salt
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of marine salt

For every 5 gallons of your tank.

I've found cheap epsom salt at the pharmacy and I already have baking soda. There was a huge cheap jar of sea salt at the pharmacy, could this replace marine salt, is it the same?

Also, is it a good idea to multiply that recipe by 11 (since I have a 55 gal) and add all at once or just do it over time slowly?

I have used this recipe for the last couple of months with no problem.

If you use this recipe or any Rift Lake buffering product it is best to make gradual changes. Also, constant measurements for ph & kh are better for your fish than levels that bounce around.

[will74]

Hey, I have used this same recipe for about 2 years. I found it on cichlid forum.com, I have never had any problems with it and am curious as to how you add aragonite buffer to your water before you do a water change? The article that I read said you could use table salt. It was written by marc ellison.