Re: ph Control

["Darren J. Hanson" <djhanson@calweb.com>]

>     The results are subjective, and YMMV, but overall, I'd recommend staying
>away from the Seachem products named here (yes, the 7 day results seem odd,
>but based upon my experiences with Acid Buffer/Alkaline Buffer, I'm not
>surprised).  As with many of the products sold to aquarists, I'd recommend
>testing carefully before  using with tanks containing life. 

One thing about Seachem's Neutral Regulator is that it isn't designed to
hold a particular pH by itself, but rather is meant to be used with their
Discus Buffer or similar product to first set and then maintain a particular pH.

The other two products you mention include all the parts of a complete
phosphate or carbonate cycle with proportions designed to pull an existing
pH towards their set point.

I guess one way to explain the difference is you were comparing an octane
booster to two brands of high octane gasoline. The booster by itself is
incomplete. I've used Neutral Regulator before in conjunction with Discus
Buffer to help stabalize some R/O water for some Apistogramma species (South
American dwarf cichlids from soft, acid water conditions) with good results.
As you said, YMMV, but I wanted to point out that your comparison might not
have been as fair as possible.

- -- dj