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Post by bigfish69 on Jan 27, 2012 17:41:03 GMT -6
OK first I want to say hello to all as I am new to forum. My question is i am wanting to get Africans, I have read all I can on them and OMG im not a scientist! I fill like I am building a rocket. I have a 150 gallon tank that I had SA cichlids in but have since take them out. I know that the ph needs to be high 8.2 to 8.5 which i have done by adding crushed coral but what i cant get is the salt? Do i add it or not? I have read that 1 teaspoon per 10 gal of water is the norm but i have friends that have Africans that don't have salt in there tanks. I'm very confused on this- i have read of cichlid buffer u can buy. Is this something that is good or bad? I really need help with this as i plan to stock tank soon as i get it right ;D anything will be helpful thank chris
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Post by bnoel210 on Jan 27, 2012 17:43:57 GMT -6
The only time i ever use any kind of salt is in my QT tank if a fish has a wound i want to help it heal. Other then that i never put any in my tanks. Welcome to the forum.
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Post by jtrotter77 on Jan 27, 2012 19:06:41 GMT -6
salt raises the PH so if your PH is high enough without it then it is unnecessary. It comes in handy for QT's and treating various ailments but as long as tank is healthy then not necessary.
Hope this helps
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Post by davidtcb1 on Jan 27, 2012 19:07:05 GMT -6
Welcome Chris! How did you find us?
I have never used aquarium salt with my Africans. I used buffer for a while, and while it does raise the pH to the desired level, you also get a see-saw effect with your pH. I prefer to have a stable/recurring pH even if it is a bit low than to have one that spikes and falls all the time. So I prefer not to chase it and just do regular water changes and keep temp. about 82-83 and they are happy.
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Post by bnoel210 on Jan 28, 2012 9:48:50 GMT -6
The biggest thing is you dont want ph swings.
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Post by mruble on Jan 28, 2012 10:53:28 GMT -6
Adding salt can help buffer the PH. Check out the following: www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/buffer_recipe.phpIf you start using this recipe or manufactured buffers for that matter, you must perform periodic PH testing. For example, if you remove five gallons of water from the tank, you cannot add five gallons of buffered water and expect the PH to stay constant. My experience has shown the PH to continually rise. I made the mistake of not performing PH tests since I was doing large volumes of water changes and had already "tuned in" the amount of buffer that had to be added to each five gallon bucket. When I finally tested my PH due to a large number of fish exhibiting blindness in one or both eyes (or death), my PH was off the test card (8.8). It took three days of 50% water changes before I could see a visual change in the PH reading. I am guessing that someone with some chemistry knowledge can explain the cumulative effect of why this happens. I should add that I am on well water that has a PH of 6.3 with no GH or KH reading. |
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Post by jon carman on Jan 28, 2012 12:31:06 GMT -6
If you have a stable 7.6 or higher I wouldn't do anything. I know more people that have killed their fish messing with it too much. Stability is key. If your pH is lower, then epson salt, baking soda, and marine salt can be added slowly during a water change.
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