Buffer With Plants

[Fishedin]

Bought Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Proper PH 6.5 to enable me to stock cardinals in my planted nano.

Unfortunately I've now noticed it states 'not to be used with live plants'

Anyone know why?

Can imagine that any phosphate buffer will create algae problems, but is this the reason?

I've also seen Waterlife's 6.5 buffer (nitrate and phosphate based) endorses use with plants.

Can anyone explain?

Thanks,

Nick

 

[Colin_T]

nope to explaining the PH buffers. But why do you want to use them anyway? Most cardinals should be able to live in water with a PH between 6 & 7.5. How high is your PH? Perhaps you could have some peat in the filer. it will lower the PH.

 

[Themuleous]

Its because the buffer they use is phosphate based and it'll kill any plants in the tank. Which I know sounds odd but that the reason, apparently.

BTW what is your pH at the moment? I am never a fan of 'forcing' water to be something its not, you always risk it rebelling and retuning to what it was before, and that is a risk to your fish.

Sam

 

[Colin_T]

how can phosphates kill aquarium plants? I mean plants use phosphorus to develop root systems. One would think if there was phosphates in the water the plants would be a bit happier. Especially small amounts of phosphates.

 

[Themuleous]

I could be wrong but Im sure I read/head somewhere that the types of phosphate buffers they use are harmful, maybe not.

I still dont like the idea of forcing the pH of my tank down by adding things to it over which I have no control. A safer way would be either to use CO2 or RO water.

I should add that phosphate doesn't cause algae. You can add tons of it to a planted tank with no effect on algae growth. Algae is generally cause by NH3 or NO2. Add those to a tank (not recommended!!) and you'll soon get algae!!

Sam

 

[lljdma06]

Absolutely not necessary to alter your pH using chemicals for cardinals. Believe me, when you keep a planted tank for a period of time, especially if you inject CO2 or have a lot of wood in the scape will automatically be a good environment for cardinal tetras, for most fish actually. Especially if the planted tank has been allowed to completely mature (about 6 months, give or take). I've kept cardinals in Miami, in supposedly liquid rock. It is not necessary to lower your pH at all, IMO, and I actually don't really like messing with it. There are some, more natural ways to soften or lower pH, but again, I don't think it's necessary to keep good, healthy cardinals.

They are not the first fish I would add to a new tank, though. They really much prefer a matured tank.

llj