Proper PH 8.2 with no salts

[fleehouse2]

I am having to do a large water change on my Tang tank and want to get the ph of the water I am adding up to ph 8.0 before adding to the tank (tap water is 7.4, tank buffered to 8.0 with coral sand and tufa), normally I don't bother as smaller changes don't have much affect but this is a bigger change.

In the instructions for API Proper PH 8.2 it states:

African Cichlid Hobbyis: Proper PH 8.2 should NEVER be used without first adding an African Cichlid salt mix to the aquarium to ensure the correct pH. Proper pH 8.2 was designed for use in hard water containing many salts and minerals, such as the water in the lakes where African cichlids originate. If it is used in water containing few salts and minerals an unnaturally high pH can result.

Now I don't have any salts and it is a pain to get anything around here so have to order online. So does anyone use this stuff without salts or do I have to pay postage for some salts before I can use this?

Cheers

Steve

[fleehouse2]

Also my tap water reads Kh 9, Gh 12

[IceH2O]

Why not take a gallon of tap water and add the proper ph and see what it raises up to.

Also how big of a change are you doing?

If its 50% you could get a gallon of tap and a gallon of tank and do the same test to see what the effect will be.

I just don't that I'd do it without the salt especially when the proper tells you not to do it.

[jm1212]

a pH of 8.0 is fine. the crushed coral will keep the pH high enough without the addition of chmicals.

[Star_Rider]

you maybe just fine. many times minerals are utilized as 'mineral salts' meaning the mineral is more available as it exist as a salt.