Opinion on water conditioning products

[cricha]

Hi all,

What do you think of water conditioning products such as cichlid trace, south american cichlid buffer, Tanganyika buffer etc?

Are they any good or just another method of getting us to part with our hard earned cash?

Sorry mods if I've posted this in the wrong place

[Quixotic]

Is there a difference between trace and buffers? It seems to me that trace are referring to trace elements, while buffer is to specifically buffer the water to those similar to the cichlid's natural environment.

[celticfish]

cricha,

imho...
cichlid trace would be just like trace supplements we add for plants.
all plants and fish require trace elements to supplement "macros" for proper growth.
so if you have a planted tank and supplement trace for your plants forget about this item.

south american cichlid buffer...
in south american biotopes are usually low in kH and GH...
so this buffer was provided to prevent pH crashes from low buffer.
if you add baking soda for a planted tank environment... its robably the same effect...

on the other hand, tanganyika or malawi cichlids thrive in very high pH environment.
the tanganyika buffer will raise kH, Gh and pH for the benefit of...
you guessed it!..... tangayika cichlids!!
i'm not too sure about malaysian water quality...
but in singapore this would be an essential item to add to a tanganyika or malawi cichlids biotope.
our water in singapore is very very soft, low mineral content, though pH is maintained at 7 pH.
but some people get away with adding coral chips in the filter or as "gravel" (not natural biotope imho though i believ the fish don't give a rat's a**).
this helps add minerals into the water column.



you may also want to add what fishes you intend to keep.
helps us trying to second guess to help you...

[cricha]

Hi celticfish,

the local agents for seachem have brought in South American Cichlid Buffer & South American Cichlid trace. They've been trying to promote it to local cichlid buffs.

I was just wondering, if using them would make a difference to my apistos.

[Quixotic]

I am leaning towards the belief that trace elements for freshwater fishes aren't necessary. Some food for thought here, http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=32726

As for liquid/powder buffers, they will do their job, but there are also other methods of buffering the water. For liquid/powder buffers, I suspect that you will probably need to dose with every water change.

Some of the buffering methods may just require you to place something in the tank and they will do their job, until a time when their properties have been exhausted.

So it really depends on which methods suit you best.

[Aquaculture]

Hi celticfish,

I was just wondering, if using them would make a difference to my apistos.

Apistos need lower ph, don't think you'll need the buffer it up to a higher biotope. As for the trace element for fauna, a friend of mine do swear by them.

[trident]

Chris,
For apistos, I'll use peat or ketapang leaves to lower the PH, didn't use any commercial products.
For my Tangayikan shellies, I use coral sand and baking soda to raise the PH.
Those commercial products, I believe they worked fine but it's going to be quite costly as you will have to add them with every water change.

[celticfish]

cricha,

i think all the talk of the water conditioning products go back to the root question...
"what is the quality of your avialable water supply?"
only after you understand your local water quality can you try to manipulate the water to suit sensitive/specialized/breeding fishes.
some fish are very tolerant of water conditions while others may croak when something is off.

as trident mentioned, and i'm sure you can get them in malaysia, you can add ketapang leaves for your apistos.
the leaves will soften the water more.

[cricha]

Thanks for the replies & opinions. I'll just stick with ketapang leaves & ADA soil for my Apistos.