Ph buffers?

[HomebroodExotics]

There has been a lot of talk lately about raising ph but not a lot about using ph buffers in the water. Are there any good brands or products that work? Is there a reason why this isn’t recommended?

 

[nereefpat]

Is there a reason why this isn’t recommended?

Yes. The commercially sold pH "buffers" are actually just alkalinity additives. They don't permanently raise pH, and they raise alk, potentially to undesirable levels.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So for the reason above, do not ever add any buffer except to the extent that you have calculated an appropriate dose to boost alkalintiy to your target level, and if you are at your alk target, don't dose any.

FWIW, also do not believe the crazy claims about buffers targeting a specific pH. That's nearly meaningless.

If you need a pH boost, hydroxide is most effective, carbonate is half as effective, and bicarbonate has no pH raising effect.

Many commercial buffers hyped to attain a specific pH are a mix of bicarbonate and carbonate, and hence are far from the most effective at boosting pH.

This has more:

pH and the Reef Aquarium - REEFEDITION

by Randy Holmes-Farley For many aquarists, pH is not something that they have much experience with aside from their aquarium. For many, pH is almost a black box measurement: something to be considered, but whose physical meaning makes little sense to them. This article will Read more here...

www.reefedition.com

and

Chemistry And The Aquarium: The Relationship Between Alkalinity And pH

Randy answers many questions in this complex relationship.

reefs.com