WaterBugg Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Ok first question I'm wanting to try my hand at cbs (eventually tbs ) I know they need lower ph than cherrys is there a way other than Amazonian to bring down ph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGardenofEder Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Peat moss in bags in an hob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasshalffull Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 there are several different brands of buffering substrate out there such as controsoil,brightwell,and ada but substrates are the most reliable and easiest way to lower the ph and keep it there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citycode01 Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 The cheapest substrate on the market is Akadama soil. It is actually a soil for bonsai tree but shrimp keepers using it as a cheap alternative to expensive active substrates. Here in uk it cost around £1 for 1 kg including delivery if you buying a big bag. I'm using it in one of my tank and it lowering ph to 6.4. I read on the forums it has a long life span and can last up to 2,5 years compare to expensive brand it has the longest life. I didn't have a chance to check It yet but I have it for 6 months and it works very well. I still have left half of the bag an I will definitely going to use it again when I set up a new tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dendrobatez Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 I've always wanted to try Akadama, cant find bonsai stores around here that sell it - they all sell it as part of a soil mix. Sera super peat works well for dropping the ph for me, lasts longer than regular peat too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasshalffull Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 the akadama I have heard breaks down fast and the best brand was double red line hard to find I have never used it tho that's just what I have read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citycode01 Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 My Akadama soil hasn't break down yet after 6 months Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterBugg Posted March 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Ok I think I'll go with brightwell looks pretty good but as a back up were is a good place to get peat btw thank you guys so much for the responses I'll probly have a few more question as I set up the new tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyeGuy411 Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Technically you can use sand, RO water with remineralizer and peat and that will get you to the pH you need for crystal and TB. I have a 10g tank right now with that set up and pH is steady at 6.2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 UP aqua shrimp sand does not leech ammonia (-ium), is a bit more expensive but can last over a year or more. RyeGuy411 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jadenlea Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 how often do you have to change the peat in the HOB? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyeGuy411 Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 I have changed it once in four months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 I was thinking of switching from ADA aquasoils but the buffering lifespan of the alternatives don't sound too enticing, I put a lot of work in the initial set up of my tanks and I would hate to have to re do them every year or so. Up here in Canada ADA aquasoils are probably the cheapest readily available active soil and I really don't mind the 4+ week cycle time, I cycled my last tank for nearly 8 weeks to ensure sufficient biofilm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterBugg Posted March 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 Ok next question I have a lot of driftwood and ial I like that it lowers the ph it would be very high other wise but is there a way to get rid of some of the color not all but it's pretty dark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chibikaie Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 Late to the conversation, but if anyone is still looking for Akadama double red line, I believe it is available from online orchid/bonsai supply sites such as repotme. It is not cheap in the US, nor is it easy to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimple minded Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 Ok next question I have a lot of driftwood and ial I like that it lowers the ph it would be very high other wise but is there a way to get rid of some of the color not all but it's pretty dark Purigen would remove tannins, however I'm pretty sure it would remove them completely unless you use smaller amounts....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterBugg Posted March 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 Hmmm ok I'll try that in a bit I saw some where you can't use purgen with Api stress coat (i forgot why) so I change my water with ro now hopefully it's gone soon and I may try that thank y'all so much for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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