Gold Buffer vs Alkaline Buffer

[canoeguy1]

Short summary: Which is better to use for a guppy tank: Gold Buffer or Alkaline buffer? Note: Tank is not planted, substrate is inert.

Long version: Water here in north Atlanta comes out of the tap at 0 KH, and I adjust to a PH of 7.5, KH=11, by adding 3 parts Gold buffer to 1 part Proper PH 7.5 (the Proper PH, which should regulate to 7.5 by itself, doesn't do that in this water and stays at PH=7.0 instead. It needs the Gold Buffer for some reason). I also add a bit of Epsom salt, and a teaspoon of aquarium salt per 3 gallons.

This has worked for me, but I wonder if using alkaline buffer instead of gold buffer would be better for the guppies? What is the difference between the two products?

[Tech Support DD]

Which buffer you should use is really your own personal choice. I don't see any harm in what you are doing now; you already have it figured out (which is nice) as to how much Gold Buffer you need to use in order to obtain your target pH and KH. Gold Buffer and Alkaline Buffer are both non-phosphate buffers. Basically, the main difference is that Gold Buffer will allow you to buffer your water between 7.2 and 7.8, while Alkaline Buffer will allow you to buffer your water at a higher pH (between 7.2 and 8.5, although it preferentially buffers at 7.8).