Should one buffer top off water or not?

[lchaleff]

So I have an ATO setup in which I have a transluscent 25 gallon storage tank for my RO/DI water...also have a powerhead in the storage tank runnning 24/7.

I have not been bufferring the storage water as it appears to me that many do not. My LFS tells me that I must buffer the water...no question about it not even up for discussion.

I have a 150 gallon set up about 10 weeks now, 30 gallon sump, super reef octopus xp2000sss skimmer, cycled ok, everything seems fine, have about 180lbs of fully cured live rock, recently added a clean up crew and various soft coral.

So far so good, but before I add more I wanted to better understand this issue on buffering or not.

Thanks

 

[reefgeezer]

No buffering is necessary. The LFS's advice has more to do with selling buffer than anything else.

 

[disc1]

Your LFS is absolutely wrong. Buffering your top off water serves no purpose other than driving up your alkalinity.

That said, if you are using a buffer to supplement alkalinity in the tank, it is acceptable to add that through the ATO. But under no circumstances is it a necessity.

 

[lchaleff]

OK thanks for the input...I kinda thought it really wasnt necessary but he was so adament that I was thinking that maybe I was wrong based on all the reseach I have been doing on this forum..

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The only reason to do it is if you determine that the tank needs alkalinity, in which case adding it into top off water is a fine way to go.

 

[Triple One]

Reefkeeping's Harder Facts...

Reefkeeping's Harder Facts...

this really helped me understand the intricacies of pH and buffering and such...

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/5/chemistry :thumbsup:

you are wise to be considering these things early on. this article may help you know your options better and prevent things from going awry in the future...

 

[lchaleff]

this really helped me understand the intricacies of pH and buffering and such...

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/5/chemistry :thumbsup:

you are wise to be considering these things early on. this article may help you know your options better and prevent things from going awry in the future...

Thanks will read throughly to better understand...and yes I reather anticipate then have to play catchup and react...thanks again