Discus Buffer and hardness

[LarryG]

Does Discus Buffer raise the total hardness? After I did a water
change I added Discus Buffer and my electronic meter reading
went from 150 to 190.

[Tech Support GL]

Any buffer can raise alkalinity if your test does not separate buffer hardness from minerals hardness. Discus Buffer softens the mineral hardness of the water, which is what you would want for Discus.

[LarryG]

How can I tell what the hardness is? What is the best way of
testing the hardness if my meter only reads GH? Is there
a test kit you would reccomend that would give me an accurate
reading after using the Discus Buffer?

[Tech Support GL]

Discus Buffer will not raise GH. GH is a measure of general hardness or a measure of divalent cations such as calcium, magnesium, etc. Discus Buffer lowers GH by precipitating out divalent cations. Total hardness is GH + KH or general hardness plus alkalinity. For discus fish the GH should be below 100 ppm. If you are on well water or the tap water is very hard add the Buffer and let it precipitate the minerals out pour the decant out.

[LarryG]

When you say "pour the decant out" do you mean that I should
add the Discus Buffer to my very hard tap water in a bucket
and let the the minerals settle to the bottom and them remove
these minerals before putting the water in the fish tank?

[Tech Support GL]

Just let it settle and pour the water off the top.