I need to use a commercial buffering agent to make my water safe for my fish. It comes out of tap at over 8, but drops to around 4 within a day. It has a very low KH and when I test it, it's usually 1dKH or under.

I've been using proper pH 7.5 to try to maintain that holy grail of 7.4, but for a few reasons I've been dissatisfied with the product:

• It only comes in small containers (260g)
• I'm paying for stuff like aloe vera which I already get from Stress Coat
• I usually have to use at least twice the dosage, so I use it up very quickly
• It's phosphate based

Do you use a commercial buffer that you would recommend? I'd like to have something that will set the pH to as close to 7.4 as possible and maintain it at that level for at least a week. I was thinking of trying Seachem's Acid/Alkaline buffer set, has anyone used this product?

Thank you for any advice or recommendations you can offer!

Your best bet would be to get a cichlid tank substrate... it would keep the pH around 8 and buffer the water.

Why not use baking soda? It is cheap, widely available, will raise the pH to about 8.2 and keep it there. It will raise the KH as well. This is what I use and have been perfectly satisfied with it. Of course, while my water comes out of the tap with a pH over 8 it doesn't drop at all. Milo

Seachem Acid + Seachem Alkaline Buffer is what I use. It's a carbonate based buffer (many others are phosphate based). $13.49 for 1 kilo (2.2 pounds).

Follow the directions on Alkaline buffer for the amount and ratio of Acid Buffer to mix in with it.

I second the use of baking soda ... it is cheap and you can use a lot safely.

Buy it from places that sell bakery wares you never know how cheap they are.

I've heard that putting a bag of crushed coral/seashells in your filter will do the same thing,and last alot longer than the baking soda. I think I'm goin to give that a try.

I used to buy the expensive additive, but now I use baking soda. It is easy, and, for what I need, does a bang up job.

Another vote for Baking Soda. It was suggested to me when I first started, works perfectly, and have never had any problems to bother looking into anything else.

Let's not forget its easy availability.

I've tried both seashells and coral, and I couldn't get enough of either in the tank and filter to get the pH properly buffered.

I was considering just using baking soda, I do cut my proper pH with baking soda so I don't have to use triple doses.

How easy is it to maintain a rock solid pH with baking soda? Does it really cap out at 8.2, or can it drift much higher? How much does this high of a pH affect the beneficial bacteria?

I use Buff-It-Up from The Goldfish Connection and it works great for me. I use about 1/3 tbsp to put my tank at 7.5. It also comes in good amounts and you need to use far less of the product than Proper pH 7.5 which I used to use as well. I did buy a little Hannah pH meter for about $50 just to make sure I am on target and it has made the adjustments much easier.

http://www.goldfishconnection.com/shop/det...tId=44&catId=24

I would steer away from baking soda... sodium accumulation can inhibit microorganisms in the biofilters. Calcium carbonate is a better bet

Is there any way to use the calcium carbonate in a more measurable, reliable way other than using crushed shells in the filter? I could not get a reliable, steady feed off that - it bounced all over the place in a most distressing manner! The commercial additives that the lfs sells come in rather small, high-priced bottles. With all my tanks I go through it faster than they can order it!

My well water is well over 10pH with lots of nasties in it, so I run RO for all the tanks. I am not comfortable with unbuffered water hovering at 7.0!

I tried mixing well water with RO to create a better balance, but with all the metals in the water, and the constantly fluctuating readings from the well water, it was far too unreliable, too.

How has this product worked for you? Is it pretty easy to set a pH and maintain it?