Question regarding CA Cichlid Trace

[WildBill]

I placed an order last week with Big Al's and just received my shipment. I didn't receive the CA Cichlid Trace and was told that this product has been discontinued.

Is this product actually discontinued thru SeaChem, or is it that Big Al's is just no longer carrying it?

Also, question on the different buffers...I bought SA Cichlid Buffer 7.0, CA Cichlid Buffer 7.0, and 7.0 Neutral Regulator. What is the difference between these three products, and do I really need different ones for each of my SA / CA or community tanks?

[Tech Support CH]

Re: Question regarding CA Cichlid Trace

Central American Cichlid trace is not being discontinued by us, it is just Big Al's. You can use another of our trace products in place of it. The scientific literature we used for formulating the traces (National Academy of Science, Nutrient Requirements of Fish) studied a broad range of species and the results were presented as averages and ranges for all, so it was not possible to selected out specific requirements for a specific species. As we become aware of new studies that specifically target a particular species and their specific nutrient requirements we will update any product that would require it in order to fine tune it where applicable.

The difference in those three buffers is in the marketing. To reach a larger group we market these products to specific groups. You can any of these three products to produce a pH of 7.0.

[WildBill]

Re: Question regarding CA Cichlid Trace

Central American Cichlid trace is not being discontinued by us, it is just Big Al's. You can use another of our trace products in place of it.

So SA Cichlid Trace would add the necessary trace elements that Centrals find in the wild as well?

The difference in those three buffers is in the marketing. To reach a larger group we market these products to specific groups. You can any of these three products to produce a pH of 7.0.

I figured as much, but wanted to make sure. I bought a bottle of each, so I have enough to go around for a while now!

I am going to be switching over to an RO/DI system running off my well water. This will hopefully get me to a pH of 7.0 w/o having to use chemical buffers (currently my tap water runs 7.8). It will also eliminate the need of a chlorine / chloramine remover (Prime) which I use by the gallon size for my fish room. I'm wondering though if I will need to add back in the trace elements w/ the Cichlid Trace & Salt products as the water is being produced?

[Tech Support CH]

Re: Question regarding CA Cichlid Trace

Adding SA Trace will do just as well.

With RO water you will need to add back a buffer, trace elements and the salt. This will make your water as close to natural as possible.

You can either use one of the buffers you already have or you'll want to use our Alkaline Buffer. RO water has no real buffering ability. So although it might be 6.8 to start, it will quickly drop because of the acids produced by the fish. The buffers you have are phosphate based buffers and are very stable. If you use Alkaline Buffer you will want to keep an eye on your KH (Carbonate Hardness). The acid in fish waste and CO2 produced both cause the KH of the water to drop. This in turn causes the pH to drop. The KH can drop too far causing the pH to drop to dangerous levels.

[WildBill]

Re: Question regarding CA Cichlid Trace

That's a good point in regards to the hardness. Do you offer the buffer in a powder form so that it's more cost effective than 1 cap full per 2.5ga? I'm looking at producing approx 200ga per week for water changes w/ a 60GPD 5 stage unit.

Thanks for your help! :)

[Tech Support CH]

Re: Question regarding CA Cichlid Trace

The Neutral Regulator is also available in a powder form. A 250 g bottle treats 500-1000 gallons. In your case of using RO water it will treat the 1000 gallons because it does not have to compete with an existing KH buffer. It is available in 50 g, 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg, 4 kg, and 100 kg sizes.