Water too hard and buffering questions...

[CrazieEddie]

I normally use Mardel test strips to test pH, Nitrate, Hardness, etc. I recently entered all the info of my fish stock into a spreadsheet, which includes the requirements (temp, pH, hardness, etc.). According to the test strips, my pH is above 8.0 and the total Hardness is around 120ppm.
[Question 1] Does this mean that the Hardness is at 120.0°dH?

I realize that I should keep one of my tanks at a pH of around 7.0 and the Hardness at around 10.0°dH. I know my water is hard anyways and I would like to lower both. I was thinking of adding a solution like Liquid Discuss Buffer to the tank. It states the following:
Liquid Discus Buffer™ lowers pH and buffers at acidic pH. It softens water by precipitating calcium and magnesium. It helps to maintain the ideal pH environment for low pH and soft water acclimated fish such as Discus
[Question 2] Would this lower the pH and soften the water way too much, like below pH of 7.0 and Hardness below 10.0°dH?

[Question 3] If it is ok, could I add the solution directly to the tank or do I have to premix the solution first in a plastic garbage can?


Please note that my current fish stock are doing well in the water conditions I have now, but I plan to have bigger tank in the future. I want to make sure that any new stock I add will be close to it's water conditions.

[CrazieEddie]

Well, after doing some extensive research, I found my own answer to Question 1. Those who are intersted, here is the answer...
PPM dH
Soft 0 to 75 ppm 0 to 4.5 dH
Moderately Hard 75 to 150 ppm 4.5 to 9 dH
Hard 150 to 300 ppm 9 to 17.5 dH
Very Hard 300+ ppm >17.5 dH



I also created my own spreadsheet with some conversitions charts (Temp, Volume, weight, Water hardness). If you want a copy, please email me.

I still hope to get answers to the other 2 questions.

[CrazieEddie]

Just wondering if anyone can help me with Question 2 and 3. :D

FYI, I found some peat that can be inserted in a filter. I applied half of the peat and half carbon in the filter container to see if it would help. Other than changing the color of the water a big (I don't like), it appears to have made a slight change in the pH, but not much. It's kind of hard to tell since I'm using those quick dip test strips, which is why I'm looking into buying an electronic pH monitor in the future.

I'm still considering of using the Discuss buffer as mentioned above, but I just needed help with the 2 questions I had regarding it.

[Nooboon]

I am quite sure the discus buffer would work. If it is not too expensive I would buy a small amount and give it a try. You can use different rates to achieve different pH values.

I think it comes in either powder or liquid forms. Obviously the powder would have to be mixed first. I guess you could add the liquid directly to the tank but it is always best to mix first if you can to reduce shock to the fish.
The container will have direstions.

[vjvl51]

Another option, Crazie Eddie is to use a reverse osmosis unit and then add the minerals (cichlids salts is one) to make the pH and hardness exactly what you want. This is the way that most marine tanks are done.

Vickie

[CrazieEddie]

I plan to buy an RO/DI system in the future for this purpose, which will also help pave the wave for my move towards a reef system. Unfortunately, my funds are lacking at the moment being laid off :( Uncle SAM is helping a bit, but hardly. This is why I'm looking for another (proven) alternative to keeping the pH down and softening my water.