[javahut]

Hi All,
My pH level since i have started my tank has been at a constant 8.0. What are the advantages of adding a buffer to raise it to 8.3??? Or do i even need to raise it???
Thank you in advance for the input. The tank has been up and running for 2 months now. I have a small assortment of fish and inverts, i.e. Firefish Goby, Orange Spotted Goby, Black & White Striped Dottyback, Orange Skunk, Cleaner Shrimp, 2 Emerald Crabs & 2 Scarlet Legged Hermit Crabs.

Java

30 Gallon Oceanic Cube w/ Stand
Eheim Professional 2224 Filter
Marineland 1140 Powerhead
31 Lbs. Live Rock
20 Lbs. Live Sand

[Danakor]

ph just tests how acidic or alkaline your water is. ph should be between 7.8-8.5 I do believe no purpose in raising it or lowering it. Unless your lifestock is just under an extreme amount of stress. imho

[pogodzib]

If your calcium and alkalinity levels are within range, then don't do anything to adjust your pH. A pH level of around 8.0 is very common and corals/fish/inverts all survive just fine. If your alk levels are low, then you should add something to raise your alk levels. pH and alk are pretty closely related. The benefits of adding buffer is that it raises your alkalinity if it is too low. The disadvantage is that if your alk was already in range or high, you might have calcium precipitate out of solution. Remember that a stable tank is always better than a tank with fluctuating parameters, even if they are slightly out of the "ideal" range.