goodwin626 Posted January 18 Report Share Posted January 18 Can anyone recommend a budget friendly African cichlid buffer/salt? Have seen the diy mixes but I have seen a number of articles that warn against using Epsom salt. I don't want to pay seachem or aqua pics premium prices. I have found 3 that seem okay but dosage varies alot. They are about $12 -14/Kg Notafisholee- 2 teaspoons/100L, best value? https://notafisholee.com.au/products/cichlid-salt-5kg FKC- 1 tablespoon/20L https://www.fishkeeperschoice.com.au/product/fkc-4-in-1-african-cichlid-riftlake-aquarium-fish-tank-ph-gh-kh-buffer-salt-2kg/ Aquasonic - 1 teaspoon / 7L https://www.thetechden.com.au/products/copy-of-aquasonic-riftlake-water-conditioner-2-5kg?variant=41825706246314 Any reviews or recommendations is greatly appreciated, Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFF Posted January 18 Report Share Posted January 18 I've used DIY mix for years now, and seems to work just fine. Most of the fish you buy here are locally bred, and don't necessarily REQUIRE the salt. Although they may do better with the salt. What I use for my all-male Malawi Hap tank is as follows 200 L water change gets 4-5 teaspoons Bicarb of Soda, 2-3 teaspoons Epsom, 1-2 teaspoons Rock salt (i.e. regular salt but without any iodine or such added). Typically 8-10 teaspoons of salt in total for 200 L. Dissolve this salt in half a bucket of HOT water, let it sit while I change the water. Top up the bucket with COLD water, mix, then it is cool enough to pour slowly in to the tank towards the end of the re-fill (with COLD water). I use HOT water because the salts dissolve so much faster and better. Then just cool it down later. JB, johnbetta and goodwin626 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodwin626 Posted January 18 Author Report Share Posted January 18 Thank you very much for the indepth reply, appreciate the knowledge from experience johnbetta 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbeer Posted January 21 Report Share Posted January 21 There is two African lakes and the chemistry is different. Malawi is easier than tang IMO johnbetta 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodwin626 Posted January 22 Author Report Share Posted January 22 Thanks ginger beer, sorry forgot to mention it is for a Malawi tank johnbetta 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
