maintaining ph for malawi cichlids

[knight4d]

I'm a Malawi newbie and after that disastrous tropical nitrogen cycle, I'm determined to get my water spot on before adding my fish. I've got a consistent 7.2 pH, moderately hard water - now I'm looking at buffers. From what I've read, I should use crushed coral in my sand and a buffer like Seachem Malawi Buffer to hit the right pH. Is that really all there is to it? I've been eyeing up a DIY buffer, the Lionest one - I mean, fish products are crazy pricey and I'm a bit of a cheapskate. Any advice, guys?

[waveborn]

A 7.2 pH isn't the end of the world for Malawis, they can thrive in that range. Lake Malawi itself has a pH of around 7.8, but 7.2 is still within a tolerable range.

If you're looking to create a DIY buffer, using baking soda, Epsom salt, and aquarium salt is a viable option. I'd recommend experimenting with different combinations in a 5-gallon bucket to find the perfect balance for your water. For my setup, I found that adding 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon of Epsom salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of aquarium salt per 5 gallons brought my pH to 8.0 and achieved the desired hardness.

Keep in mind that your water parameters will likely differ from mine, so it's essential to test and adjust accordingly. The commercial buffers, like Seachem Malawi Buffer, do contain beneficial trace minerals, but they're not essential for a healthy aquarium.

Once you start modifying your water, it's crucial to stick to your regime, as forgetting to add the buffers during water changes can lead to a pH swing that could harm your fish.

[oakleyride]

I'd recommend using crushed coflake or aragonite sand at 10-20% of your substrate, that should help buffer your water pretty effectively. Alternatively, you could also try putting 2-3 cups of it in a media bag and placing it in a power filter, that way you can get the benefits of the buffer without having to mix it into your substrate.

[knight4d]

Thanks for the advice guys, really appreciate it. I'm glad to hear a 7.2 pH isn't a deal-breaker for my Malawi's, but I still want to get it closer to the ideal 7.8. I like the idea of experimenting with DIY buffers, waveborn - I'll definitely try out the baking soda, Epsom salt, and aquarium salt combo in a 5-gallon bucket to see what works best for my water. And oakleyride, crushed coflake or aragonite sand in my substrate is a great idea, or maybe I'll go with a media bag in my filter. One thing I'm a bit concerned about is sticking to a routine with the buffers - I don't want to forget to add them during water changes and risk a pH swing. Any tips on how to make it a habit?