Balancing PH & TDS

[Ebi]

So... shrimp are happy. Crystals and Rili's.

My problem is, tap water comes out at PH of 7.4-7.6.
Im shooting for TDS 150-170.
And PH 6.6-6.8

But whenever I do water changes with RO, and try to get the right PH, my TDS drops a lot. Down to 130-150. The PH hits ideal, but then I get a little to worried about the TDS, so I then add Tap Water -TDS of 200-230. I then get the TDS at 170, but then the PH rises to 7.0-7.2.

I can either go ideal PH and add products to get the right TDS.

OR

I can either go with ideal TDS and add products to get the right PH.


My shrimp are all happy with TDS 170 PH 7.2 GH 3-5

But I would like TDS 150-170 and PH of 6.6-6.8
And to favor the Crystals of course and keeping them "happy" and "living"


Any help? recommended products?

Thanks

[blacksheep998]

I know everyone always says to keep crystals in slightly acidic water, but I've had great luck keeping them with a pH in the 7.0-7.2 range. So long as the parameters are stable they'll tolerate it being a little out of ideal specs.

[somewhatshocked]

Are you using a buffering substrate? Which remineralizing product are you using?

GH? KH?

[Ebi]

Originally Posted by blacksheep998

I know everyone always says to keep crystals in slightly acidic water, but I've had great luck keeping them with a pH in the 7.0-7.2 range. So long as the parameters are stable they'll tolerate it being a little out of ideal specs.

Hmm.. What's your other parameters?

[Ebi]

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

Are you using a buffering substrate? Which remineralizing product are you using?

GH? KH?

I have the little fluval ebi/flora kit with the 9 lbs of flora/ebi (half and half) . I'm sure it doesn't do any buffering.

Getting a GH/KH test kit today, will post up in a bit.

Ill admit it, I'm trying to get familiar with products and I haven't been using any remineralizing products besides water conditioner when I add tap water to get the right TDS.

Please help me

[Vincent Tran]

I would definitely just go ahead and buy a remineralizing product and add that to your RO water!

[Ebi]

Originally Posted by Vincent Tran

I would definitely just go ahead and buy a remineralizing product and add that to your RO water!

What remineralizing product would you recomend? I have the fluval brand but don't really know how to dose it? I have my ro in 1 gallon jugs.

[pejerrey]

I wouldn't worry that much for that TDS difference.

But, you could use mosura TDS up or old sea mud to get to your desired TDS, IMO.

[Qwedfg]

I wouldnt go with the fluval mineral stuff with CRS. I have it and while it does raise gH it also raises pH and TDS alot.