Never did it during water changes. I'd aerate it for about 6-10 hours, then add salt, then adjust any levels accordingly. But recently read it's a good idea to buffer rodi with baking soda first, I guess to the final alk u want or maybe a little under, then add your salt. Otherwise you'll lose alot of the salt's buffers up front. I've never done this & was wondering if maybe I should've been all along-- been successful with sps for years now but always room for improvement. Anyway, setting up brand new tank, about 140 gallons total, it's full of rodi now & wondering if I should add some baking soda before I start pouring in salt. Thanks!
should I buffer rodi before adding salt
- Thread starter upsetter
- Start date
That's nonsense. I'd stop taking advice from any person that recommends buffering RO water without knowing the alkalinity of the salt you use. Most salts have as much buffer as you'd want in them. Instant Ocean, for example, has plenty. As much as most anyone keeps it at. . RO depletes nothing in the salt mix. Nothing is needed prior to adding salt unless you know that you want more of something than is there (like calcium, magnesium, or even buffer if the alkalinity is truly lower than you want it.
FWIW, RO/DI water is also NEVER the cause of low pH in a reef tank.
FWIW, RO/DI water is also NEVER the cause of low pH in a reef tank.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
:lol:
So true Dave, so true.
except maybe Seachem. :lol:
:lol:
Thanks guys.
Thanks guys.
RicksReefs
New member
I suddenly have wierd verses of the 'candyman' in my head now...
tell me.. do you sprinkle it with buffer to make the salt taste good?
tell me.. do you sprinkle it with buffer to make the salt taste good?
:lol:
Some folks apparently do.
Some folks apparently do.
I read about the need to buffer RO/DI water in a new coral prop book by a guy whose name rhymes with 'Kalpho'. It didn't say with what.
I read it, and read it again, and thought 'what would Randy say about fixing a problem that hasn't been measured?' So I may not be an original thinker, but at least I'm capable of learning simple rules
I read it, and read it again, and thought 'what would Randy say about fixing a problem that hasn't been measured?' So I may not be an original thinker, but at least I'm capable of learning simple rules
Billybeau1
Premium Member
That would be Calfo, and I think Randy would say there is no reason to buffer ro/di unless there is extremely unusual circumstance.
RicksReefs
New member
FWIW, I buffer all my ro/di top off water (it's an easy way for me to dose it) and perhaps that what Anthony was buffering and not new salt water (??).
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Buffer it with what ?
RicksReefs
New member
with my alkalinity supplement a.k.a. buffer. 
Billybeau1
Premium Member
ArtC questioned "the need" to buffer ro/di. There is no need. You do it by choice and have designed your husbandry to allow for it by adding alkalinity with your water changes.
The problem with using the term "buffer" is a lot of reefers think this has to do with pH. Then they knock their heads against the wall wondering why they cannot keep their pH up. They use all of these proper this and proper that to get the pH up and before you know it, their alkalinity is through the roof.
Unless you know water chemistry, which I'm sure you do, the word "buffer" can be very confusing.
I prefer not to add anything to my ro/di replacement water.
The problem with using the term "buffer" is a lot of reefers think this has to do with pH. Then they knock their heads against the wall wondering why they cannot keep their pH up. They use all of these proper this and proper that to get the pH up and before you know it, their alkalinity is through the roof.
Unless you know water chemistry, which I'm sure you do, the word "buffer" can be very confusing.
I prefer not to add anything to my ro/di replacement water.
FWIW, I buffer all my ro/di top off water (it's an easy way for me to dose it) and perhaps that what Anthony was buffering and not new salt water (??).
Maybe, but many folks espouse the incorrect idea that RO/DI water needs buffering.
There is certainly nothing wrong with incorporating an alkalinity supplement, or a calcium supplement, into top off water as a method of delivery if your tank otherwise needs that alkalinity supplement.
Maybe, but many folks espouse the incorrect idea that RO/DI water needs buffering.
There is certainly nothing wrong with incorporating an alkalinity supplement, or a calcium supplement, into top off water as a method of delivery if your tank otherwise needs that alkalinity supplement.
RicksReefs
New member
I never said there was 'a need' to buffer RO water, just that i add to my top off water to dose my system since dosing is required anyway. then I don't need to do the waiting game before adding calcium supplementation.
I agree that 'buffer' for pH is not an agreeable term. I tell all my customers to chase the alk level and not the pH and that as long as they're at pH 7.9 or above to just go for the correct alk/calc./mag levels and let the pH be.
I agree that 'buffer' for pH is not an agreeable term. I tell all my customers to chase the alk level and not the pH and that as long as they're at pH 7.9 or above to just go for the correct alk/calc./mag levels and let the pH be.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
:thumbsup:
I know you didn't say that. ArtC said a guy named "Kalpho" said that.
Just trying to keep it straight.
I know you didn't say that. ArtC said a guy named "Kalpho" said that.
Just trying to keep it straight.
said a guy named "Kalpho" said that.
Isn't Kalpho the Greek god of alkalinity?
Isn't Kalpho the Greek god of alkalinity?
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Cha-ching........ Give that man a cigar.
