FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I don't have Discus, but do have quite a few SA rainforest fish that prefer water in the 7 pH range.

My local water is pretty hard (8 or slightly higher) and wanted to loewr the pH for the health and happiness of these fish that I've come to love.

The owner of a FS told me to use Seachem Discus Buffer to adjust the pH down....but now, someone WAY more knowledgeable at a different FS (who is no longer available)tells me that Seachem Acid Buffer is far better.

Can anyone explain why that is (I went and bought 2 large bottle of the Discus Buffer when first told that by the 1st FS owner.

Here are the products and explanations for each by Seachem:

Seachem "Discus Buffer":
http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/DiscusBuffer.html

Seachem "Acid Buffer":
http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/AcidBuffer.html

Does anyone understand why the 2nd product is much more what I need, please?

Their FAQ answers what the difference between the two are.

http://www.seachem.com/support/FAQs/DiscusBuffer_faq.html

--------------------------------------------
The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Ask Seachem

Go direct to that link and ask them.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Hi,

In short acid buffer will lower the ph, while discus buffer will lower ph and kh, softening the water also.
It depends on whether the fish you are keeping like soft water with a low ph or the ph is just too high for them.

My 2 cents.

I believe they do like lower pH and soft water both, Dangerous Dave:
http://fishbase.fishinfo.cn/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=12311

http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Bolivian_Ram_Mikrogeophagus_altispinosus.php

http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_German_Blue_Ram_Mikrogeophagus_ramirezi.php

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/tetrafish/neontetra.php

am I right in this??

I had hard water with high pH at my last home. I used Acid Buffer and it worked well. Add it slowly if you are putting it directly into the tank. I suggest experimenting with your tap before making any changes to your tank. Add the recommended amount and monitor the pH for 24 hrs. You will probably have to add more with hard water to get the pH you want. It's easy to use if you always change the same amount of water in your tank.



It is relatively inexpensive if you buy the 1Kg size.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4124