Reef Buffer vs Reef Builder

etepperman · 11/01/2010, 02:09 PM

Hi,

Which would you use and why.

Seachem Reef buffer will raise Ph to 8.3 and raise alkaline

Seachem Reef builder will just raise alk.

Thanks,
Elliott

sirreal63 · 11/01/2010, 02:33 PM

Baking soda will raise alk, baked baking soda will raise ph and alk, however ph will always adjust back to where it wants to be, adding anything to increase ph is a short term crutch.

Spend some time here and you will have less questions and a much greater understanding of reef chemistry.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=102605

seapug · 11/01/2010, 03:48 PM

those products are used to address specific alkalinity problems and are pretty self explanatory. If you have low pH, then use the Reef Buffer. If your pH is normal and your calcium levels are in the range you want them but your alkalinity is low, then use the Reef Builder, but in that case I'd personally just use plain baking soda, which is probably what that product is.

Daddie05 · 09/05/2014, 09:10 PM

I use reef builder because I never had problems with Ph being low. Is there a specific baking soda? Would love to try it for the KH.

disc1 · 09/05/2014, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daddie05

I use reef builder because I never had problems with Ph being low. Is there a specific baking soda? Would love to try it for the KH.

Nothing specific. Just regular baking soda like you'd cook with. I like to stick to food grade stuff just for peace of mind. Any of the generic brands would be fine. You can get big bulk bags at pool supply stores. Sometimes they call it sodium bicarbonate instead.

Daddie05 · 09/05/2014, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disc1

Nothing specific. Just regular baking soda like you'd cook with. I like to stick to food grade stuff just for peace of mind. Any of the generic brands would be fine. You can get big bulk bags at pool supply stores. Sometimes they call it sodium bicarbonate instead.

Nice. Let me jus finish my reef but offer and then I'll pick up some baking soda.

fishchef · 09/06/2014, 12:52 PM

Regardless of the name Reef Buffer is designed for FO tanks. Reef Builder is designed for tanks with corals as per Seachem.

blanden.adam · 09/06/2014, 01:39 PM

Both reef buffer and reef builder are just expensive alkalinity products. Using them to try and address a pH problem is really not a good idea because the primary contributor to pH in reef aquaria is CO2. When people try and solve a pH problem with a buffer, they inevitably meas up their alkalinity level, and still have a pH problem

So, as mentioned before, I would use neither and instead use kalkwasser, bulk 2 part, or a calcium reactor to maintain cal and alk, and address my pH problem from the standpoint of solving a carbon dioxide problem.

fishchef · 09/06/2014, 06:31 PM

I've often read that dKH is the value you should be concerned about. pH just falls in line if your alkalinity is stable. Trying to do it by the numbers is a losing game. We haven't done a pH test in years.

11/01/2010, 02:09 PM	#1
etepperman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 257	Reef Buffer vs Reef Builder Hi, Which would you use and why. Seachem Reef buffer will raise Ph to 8.3 and raise alkaline Seachem Reef builder will just raise alk. Thanks, Elliott

11/01/2010, 02:33 PM	#2
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Baking soda will raise alk, baked baking soda will raise ph and alk, however ph will always adjust back to where it wants to be, adding anything to increase ph is a short term crutch. Spend some time here and you will have less questions and a much greater understanding of reef chemistry. http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=102605 __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

09/06/2014, 01:39 PM	#8
blanden.adam Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Manlius, NY Posts: 1,666	Both reef buffer and reef builder are just expensive alkalinity products. Using them to try and address a pH problem is really not a good idea because the primary contributor to pH in reef aquaria is CO2. When people try and solve a pH problem with a buffer, they inevitably meas up their alkalinity level, and still have a pH problem So, as mentioned before, I would use neither and instead use kalkwasser, bulk 2 part, or a calcium reactor to maintain cal and alk, and address my pH problem from the standpoint of solving a carbon dioxide problem. __________________ Adam Current Tank Info: Low Tech Reef. 282 gallon starphire display. 2x400W Radiums in Cozumel Sun reflectors. 150 Gallon Rubbermaid Sump w/50 gallon chaeto refugium. Lifereef skimmer. 2-part dosing.

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11/01/2010, 03:48 PM	#3
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	those products are used to address specific alkalinity problems and are pretty self explanatory. If you have low pH, then use the Reef Buffer. If your pH is normal and your calcium levels are in the range you want them but your alkalinity is low, then use the Reef Builder, but in that case I'd personally just use plain baking soda, which is probably what that product is.

09/05/2014, 09:10 PM	#4
Daddie05 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 53	I use reef builder because I never had problems with Ph being low. Is there a specific baking soda? Would love to try it for the KH.

09/06/2014, 12:52 PM	#7
fishchef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,222	Regardless of the name Reef Buffer is designed for FO tanks. Reef Builder is designed for tanks with corals as per Seachem.

09/06/2014, 06:31 PM	#9
fishchef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,222	I've often read that dKH is the value you should be concerned about. pH just falls in line if your alkalinity is stable. Trying to do it by the numbers is a losing game. We haven't done a pH test in years.