Baking Soda

[Mbuniac]

:?: I read on one of the other forums that one (1) tsp. of baking soda per 5 gal of water will buffer the water and keep the pH at about 8.0-8.2. Any opinions? Or is there a better way. Our tap water is about 7.6 and about 10-12 on hardness.
Thanks, Sam

[Rudy]

Baking soda raises Ph but does not buffer (keep it stable). Crushed coral as a substrate will buffer it for you.

[SGypsyMermaid]

take a look at this thread:

http://www.cichlidforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=19

[Mbuniac]

Thanks for replying! I'll try crushed coral. Since my fish came from the pet store at 7.6 and are now at 7.8, I should raise the pH gradually?

[SGypsyMermaid]

if you are raising the ph by putting crushed coral in the filter--it will happen gradually enough--it's not like the drastic change that occurs when you add chemicals.

[chennes]

In that respect, using crushed coral is far better than baking soda, which [i:19e63012cf]will[/i:19e63012cf] change the pH instantly.

Chris

[Mbuniac]

Is there an advantage to put it in the filter as opposed to mixing it in with the substrate?
Thx, Sam

[chennes]

Some fish suck up the substrate and filter it through their gills - if the substrate is sharp it can hurt them. Or so I hear - all of my fish do this, and I've never had a problem - I use 1/2 sand and 1/2 crushed coral.

Chris

[Mbuniac]

Thanks for the info, I knew there must be some good reason for it.
Sam