Choice of secondary media (with pH buffering capability) to use in Eheim 2224?

[ralliart12]

Hi fellows. I'm sourcing for some extra filter media to use in my Eheim 2224. Currently I have a pack of BioHome+ but I believe that's inadequate to fill up the 2 trays in the 2224 completely. The most basic approach will be to buy another smaller box of BioHome+ to "top-up", but after observing the recent insanely-low pH (5.0) of the water inside a few of my tanks (with/without soil, water from different locations, etc), I'm looking for filter media that can buffer, or "lock" pH to a certain level, i.e. say 6.5. I hope with such filter media in place, I will not run into the "pH5.0" situation with my upcoming tank (which is going to use ADA New Amazonia AquaSoil). So, any such media to recommend? So far the only "well-known" media that I've read somewhere that does this, is the Power House 'Hard-type' media. But other than that? Any other "models"? For those that have used "Power House", is its pH-buffering capability reliable? i.e. will it rise non-stop to beyond 7.0?

2nd question: anybody knows what these 2 types of media are:

[hardric]

Livehouse has ph buffering:

http://www.acroasia.blogspot.com/?m=1

I have never used the media before.

I tried to buffer my water PH to 6 plus using Powehouse. I didnt put the suggested amount & my PH ended up 6. So it works? I cant be certain but I will continue to experiment.

The media you showed seem to be normal ceramic rings. I cant tell what brand though.

[stormhawk]

To answer your second question, if these came with a brand new 2224, then you have Eheim Mech aka ceramic rings (on the left) and Eheim Substrat aka biological media. Stuff on the right can be Seachem Matrix too. Is this filter first or second hand?

As for media that is capable of "locking" pH, sorry I know of none. You'd have to tweak it using buffers and such to maintain the equilibrium. Might be confusing at first but it should be easy as time goes by.

http://www.seachem.com/Products/prod...cusBuffer.html using this Discus Buffer with the Neutral Regulator should get your desired effect. The table in the link shows that the closest achievable pH to 6.5 is 6.4 when using these products together. How good they are, I'm not sure.

[ralliart12]

To answer your second question, if these came with a brand new 2224, then you have Eheim Mech aka ceramic rings (on the left) and Eheim Substrat aka biological media. Stuff on the right can be Seachem Matrix too. Is this filter first or second hand?...

Both packs are stock items that came with my 2224, so you are probably right with the identification. Thanks.

I suppose being stock (filter) media, they aren't class-leading products?
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...As for media that is capable of "locking" pH, sorry I know of none. You'd have to tweak it using buffers and such to maintain the equilibrium. Might be confusing at first but it should be easy as time goes by.

I see. Which is the proper way to achieve this? Using media in canisters filter to attempt to control final pH, or wait for the water to "stabilise", & apply additives to modify the pH as desired?
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...
http://www.seachem.com/Products/prod...cusBuffer.html using this Discus Buffer with the Neutral Regulator should get your desired effect. The table in the link shows that the closest achievable pH to 6.5 is 6.4 when using these products together. How good they are, I'm not sure.

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Hmm...are there such (pH-changing) additives that are more "shrimp-oriented"?

[paradox]

Regarding your stock filter media, I think they are top range already (of course not comparing with Powerhouse which is priced way above most other medias).

My 2215 stock media were 3L of Eheim Substrat Pro and 1L of Eheim Mech. I checked the prices at LFS and 2L of Substrat Pro costs $56 while 1L of Eheim Mech was about $20+. So the media that came with my 2213 would be worth about $100? I would say that's quite top range as it costs more than half of the total price of the 2215.

[stormhawk]

ralliart,

In short, leave the stock items in your canisters and let the cycling process go on as per normal. It is easier to place your pH altering media in a separate filter bag, for example filter peat, and place it close to the output of the filter.

As for shrimp-oriented additives, there are pH related products from Mosura, Borneowild, Benibachi etc. Looking at GC's website should show you the products in question and their effects. Since these products are sold with shrimps in mind, that would be your best bet.

[ralliart12]

My 2215 stock media were 3L of Eheim Substrat Pro and 1L of Eheim Mech. I checked the prices at LFS and 2L of Substrat Pro costs $56 while 1L of Eheim Mech was about $20+. So the media that came with my 2213 would be worth about $100? I would say that's quite top range as it costs more than half of the total price of the 2215.

Woah, didn't realise they cost that amount; they looked pretty cheaply packed to me. Haha.
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ralliart,

In short, leave the stock items in your canisters and let the cycling process go on as per normal. It is easier to place your pH altering media in a separate filter bag, for example filter peat, and place it close to the output of the filter.

As for shrimp-oriented additives, there are pH related products from Mosura, Borneowild, Benibachi etc. Looking at GC's website should show you the products in question and their effects. Since these products are sold with shrimps in mind, that would be your best bet.

stormhawk, I'm intending to use BioHome+ already. Just that I was looking for something more to top-up. Since the consensus is to not do the pH buffering via canister media, I'll just use BioHome+ for the whole canister.

I'll wait for the cycling to complete entirely before deciding what, & if I need to do anything to my pH. Which will probably be a few months later.

Btw, does low pH slow down tank cycling?

[framejumb0]

pH lower than 7 definitely slow cycling. Optimal range for nitrifyers is 7.5-8.
even cycling is a good time to start buffering pH using CC.
If need faster way or need to keep soft water, can use baking soda. But use small quantity as it will quickly increase pH.
Filling entire Can with Biohome is bot an good idea if not using a prefilter. Debris collected inside will reduce bio glfiltration timely.
Subsrat pro and biohome is equal i think.
Biohome+ is good for kick start cycle coz it has essential trace minerals needed for Nitrifyers.