Buffer necessity?

[Garbonzo]

I've been running a reef for quite a few years, but am by no means an expert. I've never ran a buffer in any of the reefs, and I'm wondering how many people use a buffer in their reefs. My pH stays at 8.3 consistently so I am wondering what advantages there would be to adding it or possible drawbacks.

 

[Crabs McJones]

If your reef stays at 8.3 I wouldnt do anything. That's pretty much bullseye when it comes to PH

 

[lapin]

Why mess with success or something like that.
My buffer/ doser is my cal reactor and water changes.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I've been running a reef for quite a few years, but am by no means an expert. I've never ran a buffer in any of the reefs, and I'm wondering how many people use a buffer in their reefs. My pH stays at 8.3 consistently so I am wondering what advantages there would be to adding it or possible drawbacks.

Folks generally must supplement alkalinity somehow. Anything you add to boost alkalinity is also acting as a "buffer'.

You should not ever dose anything just to boost or maintain pH, since anything you can add will also be an alkalinity supplement and alkalinity may get too high.

FWIW, pH is determined mathematically by the alkalinity and the CO2 level in the water. No special "buffers" are needed or useful if you have appropriate alkalinity and CO2.