Ph Buffers shipping fish

ZoaCollector · Mar 16, 2016

I'm trying to experiment with shipping fish with ph buffers. I need a cost effective solution.
Trizma is way too expensive.

Currently I'm successful with out it but for longer durations I'd like to have an option.

Can any ph buffer work for shipping marine fish?

Is there a way I can make it myself? Tris buffer, but I'm not sure I can get hydrochloric acid nor do I feel safe working with it.

How much do you add to saltwater with a ph already at 8.0?

Thanks!

eatbreakfast · Mar 16, 2016

But isn't thr drop in ph a protection for the fish from the damage that can be caused by ammonia?

ZoaCollector · Mar 16, 2016

eatbreakfast said:
But isn't thr drop in ph a protection for the fish from the damage that can be caused by ammonia?

True but I feel ph shifts can be more detrimental than ammonia obviously depending on amount.
Hypercapnia seems to be an issue as well that is correlated to Co2 and ph.
Just doing a lot reading lately. Always trying to find a solution to different situations.

ZoaCollector · Mar 16, 2016

On that note I do know suppliers use both but not sure which ammonia detox are compatible with ph buffers.
Would you happen to know?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 16, 2016

What pH are you wanting to maintain?

ZoaCollector · Mar 16, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
What pH are you wanting to maintain?

8.3ph
This would be for shipping marine fish.
I'm under the assumption without a buffer the ph depresses faster in a shipping bag.
I also understand that ammonia is toxic in higher ph so what recommendations for ammonia detox that is compatible with ph buffers do you recommend.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 16, 2016

ZoaCollector said:
8.3ph
This would be for shipping marine fish.
I'm under the assumption without a buffer the ph depresses faster in a shipping bag.
I also understand that ammonia is toxic in higher ph so what recommendations for ammonia detox that is compatible with ph buffers do you recommend.

I personally think that pH dropping is quite beneficial in a shipping bag due to ammonia toxicity, and I'd again prefer to buffer in the upper 7's if you wanted to buffer at all...

But you could add boric acid/borate if you want a cheap way to buffer at 8.3. It's pKa is about 8.55, so it will buffer well at pH 8.3