At what rate do iuse buffers

[Jules]

My discus have come from a tank that was reading a ph of 8 so this is what i made mine. They have been home for 4 days and all seem very happy swimming around and eating very well quite little scavengers really. I would like to start bringing my ph down gradually. ILLUSN advised me to use a buffer in my aged water. The only buffer i have available to me at the moment is bi-carb soda, remembering i am on xmas island no popping down to lfs and all products i order take weeks or even months to get to me. I need to know at what rate to add the bi-carb :?: :?: I am doing a 10% change of water per day at the moment until i can get ph down to an acceptable level. My holding tank is 50litres my aquarium 500litres. Thanks everyone. What beautiful freindly fish these guys are i just love them :!: :!: :!: Dizzy over Discus

[Merrilyn]

Hi Jules, don't use the bi-carb soda. It's designed to RAISE your pH, and with a reading of 8 already, you certainly don't want to do that :D

Just gradually increase the percentage of rainwater to tapwater when you do your water changes till you reach the pH you want.

[ILLUSN]

Hi Jules,
the buffers your after are acidic buffers, like phosphoric acid, HCl etc.

if your tank is planted use either HCL or acid buffer by seachem as its not phosphate based.

[Jules]

Thanks will do, pH 7.8 today just by doing the rain water thing i have afew plants in there and the temp is currently holding at 30C i think i will stick to this as they seem very happy much brighter colours today and not so many black bars.