Hey There - Question about my freshwater

[gbcarter4103]

Hi - I have had a fresh water tank since Christmas 2003. My parents bought it for me as a present. I had a couple of questions as I figure this is the best place to post them!

1. I heard somewhere that if you add a few teaspoons of salt to a freshwater tank it helps with something. Is this true?

2. I had bought an Electric Blue Lobster about 2 inches long. We havn't seen him in about 3 weeks or so. We have a 3.5 inch long cat fish and wonder if that is what got to him! :(

3. The test strips indicate that I need to add buffer up. What do I need to do for that?

4. My PH seems to be low. What can be good with that?

Thank you all so much. And this is my first time posting, and def. not my last!

Greg and Bree

[LMOUTHBASS]

well as for 1 and 2
1 no you dont need to add salt for no reason at all it is sometimes used when medicating - unless your doing a brackish tank salt it no good in a regular FW tank
2 - the lobster prob got out of your tnak check aroun you room!
also don't keep lobsters or crayfish in your tank as they will eat everything when they grow a little

[PumaWard]

1.) Don't add salt.
2.)check in your decorations and whatnot. Also, as LMOUTHBASS said, check your floor. Don't get anymore of these guys either. If you want invertables, snails and shrimp are a better option.
3.)Can you give us the actual value that makes you think you need to do something to your water?
4.)Give us the exact pH value?

Thanks

[gbcarter4103]

We have a test strip that tests five things at one time, so it doesn't give an EXACT level of pH. It says add pH, and add buffer. Is there any way I would be able to tell the pH level?

[gbcarter4103]

Sorry,

The Ph is 6.8

And the buffer is 80

Sorry about the previous post. I must of misunderstood the test stripps.

[aquariumfishguy]

6.8 is fine....as I always say, some would kill for that pH so just shut up :p

just kidding.... AFG...

....[is frustrated that I dont have a 6.8 pH]! :rolleyes: