substrate ph buffering? eh?

[apuppet]

Geezz....

i guess this is what happens when you place a few plant guys into a car to montreal auctions. for 2+ hours.  conversation,  upon conversation. now i forgot what the answer was.   

substrate was brought up, in one of thoses conversation. and that there was a substrate that actually provides buffering for ph 6.5? 6.2? im unsure, i wasnt able to obsorb that information before the topic jumped. 

  I do recall reading about an article here, but i search for a few hours now. i know i've read something ph buffer but never thought much of it.   

what substrate provides buffer? or was i dazed and just dreaming of such a thing.

please help,
-a

[Quatro]

It sounds like you want to lower your pH.  I'm not an expert so there may be other options, but adding peat moss will lower pH.  I'd say put it in one of those mesh filter bags and add it to your filter or somewhere with a bit of flow.

[fischkopp]

I remember talking about this. Nobody of us knew the name of this special substrate. I think to remember that zapisto mentioned it during his presentation. Maybe someone else remembers.

I googled a little bit and it doesnt seem to be too popular yet as I couldnt find anything right away. You may have more luck. But I found this interesting page good for everyone who wants to know whats behind all the different substrates for your (planted) tank. - wow just saw it has probably only been online for minutes.

[Laura]

Was it ADA Soil?

[PaleoFishGirl]

wow just saw it has probably only been online for minutes.

Actually on Cichlid-Forum, the current date is always at the top of the page like that It's been up for a while but thanks for posting it here, it's very informative

[Glouglou]

Are you saying a substrat with buffering capacity. It will mean keep the PH to go down to low (good for bacterial action and Fe absorption)  with a substrat with some kind of carbonate in it. ( shell, marble, limestone or calcite).
or a substrat that will lower ph.

[apuppet]

Yeah,

the topic jumped to substrates that buffers and maintains around 6.5? or 6.2? 

i heard that shells and similiar stuff can be used to buffer and harden the water to a high ph. but  what is this substrate that provide a buffer keeps & maintain the ph in the mid 6s?   

i question that mid 6 ph zone too. and how awesome that would be.   but no one seem to know this products name. hence, why the enquiry to find an answer.

thanks,

[Glouglou]

Any substrate that you like, Soilmaster, Turface, Soil or whatever should be test for their residual PH, If to low you can add crushed marble to it. If to high add more peat.

Some commercial prepared water garden soil add small amount of calcite.

One thing is the release rate of that buffer. I beleive crushed coral or shell will release their buffer properties to fast..?