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Q: When I added Marine Buffer™ to my tank I got a very light, white, fluffy precipitate, what should I do?
A: This is a temporary magnesium carbonate precipitate. No need to worry, it will redissolve in half an hour or so. Sometimes this can form if your magnesium is on the high side.
Q: I have a 180 reef and I would like to know the main difference between the Reef Buffer and the Marine buffer. they look almost the same.
A: Marine Buffer has a pK of 8.3. PK is a number that represents the pH of a buffer. Reef Buffer has a heavier carbonate influence than Marine Buffer giving it a higher pK than Marine Buffer. Because of this, Reef Buffer is more successful at overcoming acids where intense biological activity occurs resulting in heavier acid production like in a typical reef aquarium.
Q: I have a freshwater planted tank. I've been using acid buffer to lower ph. According to the label I should use alkaline buffer as well to target a pH. My question is, can I use marine buffer instead? And if so, at what dosage?
A: I would not use Marine Buffer in this situation as the ingredients are different than what is used in Alkaline Buffer and is designed to achieve a pH of 8.3. The ratios on back of the labels of Acid Buffer and Alkaline Buffer are designed to create a buffering system and target a set pH in a water that does not have any buffering ability (no acids and/or bases present). In an established aquarium, this is generally not the case. I would only use Acid Buffer to lower pH and KH or use Alkaline Buffer to raise pH and KH.