Seachem Discus Buffer

[mr_rgb]

Hi guys,

I use tap for my discus tank, thing i noticed that after aeration for 24 hours, my tap pH is at 8.5, 5dkH and 0GH . I use seachem discus buffer to bring down my pH, it works but the thing is this product contains phosphate which can cause algae boom and cloudiness, so far I've seen white algae on my tank walls and a little cloudiness in the water. Question: is this algae okay for the fish or not? should I bring my GH up or it's okay to leave it? I saw my discus sometimes scratching to the bottom of the tank or the air stone.

[Filip]

Hi mr.rgb and welcome .
Those are some odd readings you got from your aged water but regardless of your very high PH range I wouldn't mess with any chemistry and adding buffers or acids to bring it down.
I would either go with the tap I got or invest in a RO unit for the long run .
White stuff on the glass is slime not algae and it should be regularly wiped off during WCs , not only for aesthetics but to keep bad bacteria levels in check .

Cheers and good luck .

[Second Hand Pat]

Hi mr_rgb, I would not use the discus buffer to push your ph down. The ph will naturally drop in your tank. I would suggest adding minerals to your water since you have zero GH.
Pat

[JamesW]

Has this water been run through a water softener? You'll generally see a 0 GH result on softened water especially with a high pH and KH.

[mr_rgb]

No James, I got the water straight out from the city water, I measured the GH with the API test kit. After one drop, the water inside the test tube turned in yellow right the way.

So I'll go with tab water with no seachem discus buffer, but since I have my pH stable at 7, I'll bring it back up slowly to match with the tab water pH after aeration by reducing the amount the seachem buffer.

[LizStreithorst]

I have 0 Gh. It has no ill affect on my fish. They get minerals from food.

[CliffsDiscus]

My ph is around 8.9, I don't add any Discus
Buffer maybe because all of my Discus are born and raise in this high ph.

Cliff

[JamesW]

The following is taken from the API test kit instructions:

The GH value is determined by the number of drops
of reagent that must be added to turn the water in
the test tube green.

Like everyone said there is no need to adjust your pH. I mix RO with tap water but my GH from the tap is ~20.