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Post by brenda on Sept 8, 2008 11:36:33 GMT -5
I generally use the Malawi buffer in my tank...from my reading the marine buffer can be used instead...When using the marine buffer do I need to do anything differently?
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Post by eve on Sept 8, 2008 13:14:45 GMT -5
hmmm, if you're using it for cichlids, i would stay with the malawi buffer and not change to a marine one IMO
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Post by Carl on Sept 8, 2008 13:17:19 GMT -5
I generally use the Malawi buffer in my tank...from my reading the marine buffer can be used instead...When using the marine buffer do I need to do anything differently? Actually the forumala is almost the same How much you use is what makes the difference, as I have used both interchangably with no difference. So basically as Eve stated, you could stay with what you have, but either is fine. Carl
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Post by brenda on Sept 8, 2008 13:19:43 GMT -5
Well, you didn't have the Malawi (unless I missed it) and I know you said marine could be used so I just got that. Just wondering if I needed to switch it over by mixing or if the difference would be so minor not to even worry about it?
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Post by Aquaholic (MFK) on Sept 8, 2008 20:00:46 GMT -5
Only thing I would be careful about when swiching the buffers your using is that you don't use too much of the new buffer (if the amount needed is different from the other) and throw off the pH. I only used a buffer for a little while with my Malawi cichlids till I got a buffered substrate for the tank, now it is nice I really don't have to worry about it. The buffered substrates that are on the market are either for marine or African cichlids also, but it works just the same to use a marine substrate in a African cichlid tank.
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Post by brenda on Sept 8, 2008 20:07:24 GMT -5
Ok, thanks. The marine buffer says it buffers up to 8.3 and the malawi goes to 8.4. My Ph generally holds at 8.2 so the difference should be very small. I was also going to mix them at first. Kinda like when switching a horses feed..mix at first and gradually keep increasing the amount of new.
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Post by Carl on Sept 8, 2008 20:20:56 GMT -5
Only thing I would be careful about when swiching the buffers your using is that you don't use too much of the new buffer (if the amount needed is different from the other) and throw off the pH. I only used a buffer for a little while with my Malawi cichlids till I got a buffered substrate for the tank, now it is nice I really don't have to worry about it. The buffered substrates that are on the market are either for marine or African cichlids also, but it works just the same to use a marine substrate in a African cichlid tank. That is a good point Aquaholic! I will point out that often substrates are not enough (mentioned this in the septicemia thread), as even in marine aquariums substrates are not always enough, but are certainly something that I recommend. Even water changes in areas such as mine can require a buffer to be added to deal with low GH,KH water. Or in the case of alkaline waters like I used to deal with in LA, I often blended RO with my tap water for some of my Amazon River tanks. The main point I like to stress is to not chase pH as a stable pH is usually more important, and the use of substrates (as Ed suggested), certain decor, buffers, and products such as Wonder Shells go a long ways towards this goal as well as proper mineralization (GH) that is so often missed. This article explains this some more as well: CALCIUM, ELECTROLYTES, AND MAGNESIUM IN AQUARIUMS; How to maintain a Proper KH & PH, why calcium and electrolytes are important.Carl
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Post by brenda on Sept 8, 2008 20:32:11 GMT -5
Thanks Carl...As you know I also use the wondershells. My tap water is has a VERY low Kh and Gh so I find I hav eto add some buffer with every water change...If I change out 30 gallons I add the amount of buffer for 30 gallons. I know the instructions say you should only have to do this every 3 weeks or so but mine will not hold if I wait that long. Is that ok?
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Post by Carl on Sept 8, 2008 22:22:52 GMT -5
Thanks Carl...As you know I also use the wondershells. My tap water is has a VERY low Kh and Gh so I find I hav eto add some buffer with every water change...If I change out 30 gallons I add the amount of buffer for 30 gallons. I know the instructions say you should only have to do this every 3 weeks or so but mine will not hold if I wait that long. Is that ok? Yes, this is one of those things where you use the directions as a guideline as your water is obviously similar to mine, however when I was in LA, I generally used less and less often as well since the water there already had a lot of minerals in carbonates/bicarbonates. I am still glad that Ed pointed out that you may need to use a little less of the Marine Buffer than the Malawi buffer than you are used to. The formulas are almost excatly the same, but the concentrations are just a little different, but not much in my experience. Either way the Marine Buffer is a better buy because of this. Carl
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