pH myths debunked

[ozziegt]

Alkalinity doesn't refer to ph. It refers to buffering capacity. Water being alkaline is different from having alkalinity.

definition here

[Orion]

Sorry, I totaly misunderstood what you were saying. I think we are on the same page now.

And yes you are right about your water. You can have a low pH with harder water. Hard water and the buffering capability is just the norm to the rule.

[ozziegt]

Right. So I am wondering if I should add a buffer. I know chemicals are bad but my buffering capacity is literally not even showing up on the chart...I'm guessing if there is any at all it's almost zero. I have seachem regulator which seems to be a buffer (says it will automatically ph-up or down to achieve 7). I'm wondering if I should use it in my tank.

[Orion]

Is this in your 5 gallon?

I've had no personal experince with useing a PH controler so I can't really comment much on that. If you have doubts with it, try it out with a tank or container with no fish to see how well it would work. Thats what I would do first. This way you can learn the in's and out's and be able to mess up a few times without putting your fish in danger.

Like I said, there are several ways to increase the hardness of the water depending on the type of chemical or mineral used. Adding a buffer requires consistant maintaince, but it can be done. You would be surprised what you can pick up in your local grocery store that will do this for you.

But adding a buffer is up to you. If your ph is stable and your not having any problems, then I would say leave it alone. But if you are worried about your ph crashing, then we can certinly help you out.

[ozziegt]

I'm not worried about any problems...just wondering if I should have the buffer in there to be safe if something happens later on down the road. I have used it before without fish and the ph was pretty solid at 7.0...

[Orion]

Like I said thats all up to you. Keeping up on regular water changes is the easiest way to maintain a stable ph. As long as you keep those up and regular maintance then you don't have to worry about anything happening later on.

But a word on the PH controler. As I said I've never used one, but its my understanding that all they do is adjust the ph using chemicals. There is a good possability that it is not affecting the buffering capacity of your tank at all. Did you test the water when you were using it to see? The biggest draw back with that is what are you going to do if the controler fails. If you are not around, or if it is broke and you have to get a part for it, the PH is going to fall back to its natural range. And depending on how much the controler raised or lowered it, it could be deadly on your fish.

[ozziegt]

Yeah I tested the water afterwards and the buffering capacity had gone up. It's not a ph controller device, it's just a chemical to add to the tank. I think it's just a buffer chemical.

[Orion]

Bah. Twice in the same thread in the same day I've assumed something and just look where it gets me. lol Sorry, I'll do better.

[FroggyFox]

I agree twoluvcats, how about if we add this link to the list in CFM's freshwater thread sticky in the general forum...and sticky this one here?

[Orion]

Fine with me.

I would sticky it, but then that would kinda seem bias wouldn't it.