Cichlids Water Buffer?

[djamm]

Just wondering with our water how people are buffering the water for cichlids. I am new to cichlids. Any other tips - feeding, adding salt...etc would be appreciated.

Cheers

[Mferko]

i use seachem's buffer and lake salts, its cheap if u buy big containers from pets and ponds (sponsor)
some ppl use this Rift Lake Buffer Recipe - Cichlid Salt

[bingerz]

hey mike....how big do you buy it...and how much? i bought the bigger seachem bottle they sell in the LFS about yea big for like 16 bucks ea.

[Mferko]

Seachem Cichlid Lake Salt 1.4kg - Pets & Ponds
Seachem Tanganyika Buffer 1kg - Pets & Ponds

[bingerz]

those look like good prices. im thinking about trying that homemade recipe once my supply runs out.

[Mferko]

i was thinking about it too but i asked doug @ reservestock what he uses and he said he buys the seachem stuff to make sure he has all the trace elements in his water even tho it can be pricey he thinks its worth it, so i'll probably keep forking out the $$ but we'll see when my supply runs out

[djamm]

so for a 180 gallon I would be adding a whole lot of this....hmmm....any other less expensive buffers or is it cheaper when buying in bulk?

[Mferko]

the less expensive way is the homemade epsom salt + baking soda + marine salt 1teaspoon of each per 5gallons

[Rastapus]

Although it is great to see the interest in properly buffering Cichlid aquariums, "home brews" will lack minerals for sure. I have never considered these buffers very expensive as they are absorbed very slowly and hobbyists are only adding with water changes. Marine salt works well for GH but for KH I would use a specific KH booster from your LFS.

[Slopster]

Not to sound stupid, but what and why a buffer for cichlids??? I'm new to them and i now have 10 africians, should i be using a water buffer???
any and all advice is greatly appreciated..