(formerly) LIVE REEF ROCK - in a FW???

Mgamer20o0 said:

coral will increase the GH and raise the PH. i wouldnt use it.

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that may be a good thing to cichlids. i hardly know much about cichlids though

coral is primarily calcium carbonate based. as such, the carbonate will increase your pH and kH. any soluble calcium will increase your gH. is this a bad thing? not necessarily. if you're keeping hard water fish, including but not limited to African cichlids, the increase in these parameters may be a good thing if your water is 'soft' and relatively neutral with respect to acidity. if on the other hand you're keeping fish such as Apistogramma which are decidedly 'soft', low mineral content water fish, then putting these rocks in your tank is a bad idea.

moreover, the degree of chemical reaction (mineral leaching) will depend on your present water chemistry. the more acidic your water is, the greater will be the reaction. here's what i'd do. draw some water from the tap and take the pH, gH and kH. fill a bucket will your tap water and put in some of the rock. let it stand for 72 hours with occasional swirling to mix it, and then take the pH, gH and kH. compare the results of the glass and bucket. then decide what to do.