KH buffer for the noobie

[PufferPhreek]

hi all

I'm cyclling(for a soon to arrive figure 8 puffer) a new 10 starter tank and have a low Kh (50 ppm). There are two gold dust mollies in the tank right now

Does anyone know of a good buffer to get me to around a dKH of 5-6 (~90-100 ppm).

I was thinking about using the A F Cichlid Buffer

btw, Im trying to measure my GH with the Nutrafin KH/GH kit It's like off the charts. I stopped at 40 drops

Is the test kit crazy or does BW just have that kind of GH ??

Help

 

[OrionGirl]

Are you using FW test kits? They won't be as accurate for BW.

Instead of a cichlid buffer, I would use a marine based one. What salt are you using? Most marine mixes contain adequate buffer to bring up the alkalinity.

 

[cdawson]

yes, you'll want to use a marine buffer such as an aragonite substrate or crushed coral. Like Oriongirl said marine salt has natural buffers that keep the ph and alkalinity at the right levels with the aid of a calcium based substrate.
When setting up a brackish aquarium you have to set it up based around a marine aquarium rather than FW. Most FW substrates contain no buffer, decorations such as driftwood can lower the ph and soften the water which will lower a brackish fishes chance of surviving by lowering it's immune system.

 

[PufferPhreek]

>re you using FW test kits? They won't be >as accurate for BW.

the hagen/natrafin SAID..FW/SW but the GH turn out to be not recommended.. duohh

>Instead of a cichlid buffer, I would use a >marine based one. What salt are you >using? Most marine mixes contain >adequate buffer to bring up the >alkalinity.

Instant Ocean.


I have sand substrate right now. I guess I could mix in crushed coral.

figure8 puffer people here? What do you run your KH/GH, PH at?