NYCichlidForum.com

I use exactly what the label says.
If it is a community tank with Malawi's and Tangs then I try to get it in the middle.
I do not add any salt if I am topping off a tank, only if I am doing a water change...and even then I only put the amount of salt that is required for the amount of NEW water that I am putting into the tank.

Raises the PH and also buffers the water.

The seachem cichlid lake salt is like a mixture of baking soda, epsom salt, reg salt, minerals. Either use the seachem cichlid lake salt OR the mixture mentioned before.

Depends on the parameters of your tap water how much seachem cichlid lake salt you have to use. If your tap's PH is low and it's soft, you have to use more than if the PH is high and it's hard.

the pH is actually pretty hard out of the tap (around 7.8 )...........in my tank (crushed coral substrate) its about 8.0...............

If your tank water is stable @ 8.0PH with only crushed coral and it doesn't fluctuate, you don't really need any other additives (buffers). Just test your water before and after a waterchange and you'll see if there's any fluctuation in the water parameters, and if there's any, then you can add some buffers accordingly. The goal is to have stable (constant) water parameters.

so i wouldnt need any salt? is salt considered a buffer?

The Epsom Salt buffers the water, it makes it harder.
The aquarium/fortified/kosher/table salt is mainly added for mineral supplement, it also buffers the water a bit.

Quote:

"Jungle Fortified Pond Salt designed to be a staple in any pond owner’s cupboard. The salt product contains a beneficial mix of chlorides, sulfates, potassium, magnesium, calcium and trace elements that add and replenish essential electrolytes and minerals utilized by both fish and plants. The salt has the added benefit of Allantoin, which promotes wound healing and tissue repair, as well as speeds cell regeneration. It also protects fish from minor cuts and scrapes and stimulates its slime coat, the natural protective defense against bacteria and parasites. The fortified salt also reduces elevated nitrate levels, a condition often associated with newly established water gardens"

Baking Soda increases KH or total alkalinity, Ph can only be increased to about 7.8 with Baking Soda alone, Epsom salt is also an alkaline salt and when added in combination with baking soda it will get you above 8.0, Baking Soda alone can't get you up to what you need without an alkaline salt, this salt also increases general hardness that is also needed. This test was done with my tap water that starts out at a ph of 7.5. Could vary some with other water supplies.

This is what I do.

Start by adding 1 teaspoon of Baking Soda to five gallons of dechlorinated water and see how much this raises your pH. Then adjust your dosage so as to attain a desired level. Repeat this procedure for Epsom Salt, starting out with � teaspoon. Try to achieve a GH between 15 and 25 dgh. Then add 1 teaspoon of salt.

Good luck