Crushed Coral - Where to put it?

abcdefghi

abcdefghi

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Jun 6, 2007
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I have very soft water, and so am using crushed coral in my filters. The problem is that I have no idea how much I should be using (I currently have about 1 cup worth) and not really sure where to put it.

The amount I have in there now is tied in some pantyhose and stuffed into my HOB filters. The problem is I don't like how it affects the flow from my filters (it can cause the water to flow back over the inlet, and not through the filter) so where else can I put it? or do I have too much in the filters?

Thanks.
 
I have a Penguin 100 filter and a Whisper 60 filter, both HOB. I am not so much trying to raise the pH as to keep it stable, the pH out of the tap is lower than 6.0 and GH/KH are right about 0.
 
Have you considered crushed coral as the substrate? With PH that is consistently so low, you might be able to get away with it.

Marinemom
 
I had originally thought about using crushed coral as a substrate, but was advised it was better to go with just using some in filters.

What advantages are there to going with crushed coral as the substrate? I am also wondering how much of a nightmare it would be to change from sand to crushed coral! But, if it means healthier fish and a more stable environment then I would figure out a way to make the switch.
 
jm1212 said:
the crushed coral substrate will help regulate the pH.

try using less in your filters before you switch substrates.
Click to expand...

The problem is I don't think what I am using in my filters is doing all that much (I will check the pH tonight and post the numbers Vs tap water, although tap water would be a guess since its the same color as 6.0 on the API kit). If I take it out of the filter, where do I put it? I read that the best place to use it is in the filter.

Is it possible to mix sand/crushed coral as the substrate? and how much would I need to mix to buffer the water to a stable level? I guess its trial and error of adding slowly and test, add more, test etc........... would prefer to not have much of a change to pH above what the tap is, but I at least want to keep things stable.
 
there are inherent problems using crushed coral as a substrate ..it is highly discouraged in a marine system..the crush coral can trap detritus in the crevices..this can then lead to nitrate issues .

you may also want to consider storing water and regulating the kH this way..


there are also buffers used with RO water that may be a better alternative for you.
 
As I understand it, the problem with crushed coral in marine set-ups is that it will not compact, and no denitrifying bacteria will therefore accumulate (I think it is the case that these bacteria are desirable in SW to keep nitrates low, minimising water changes and these bacteria are anaerobic and thrive only in the absence of oxygen however that is of course witchcraft which I don't understand :D)...here is a link explaining the problems http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84113 which only applies to SW.

It makes a fine substrate for FW, and will certainly help buffer your Ph. Given a proper gravel vac on a weekly basis, there is no problem using it (I use it myself). The only issue would be if you want to plant as it does not provide any nutrients, and you would be better off with something that does (more witchcraft, check the planted forums :D))
 
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