Crushed coral as pH buffer in FW tank

yodafett

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Oct 15, 2005
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Ryan
My city has issues with pH being right around 6.0. Obviously, not ideal for community tanks. Instead of 3 time a week pH tests and Alkaline Buffer doses, I was recommended to try using crushed coral... how does that work exactly? Buy some and sprinkle it throughout the sand? Keep in a bag?

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Either way will work.
 
I just mix it with my regular gravel throughout the tank's that need higher pH. But I'm not sure how that'd look with sand. If it's a light colored sand it wouldn't look too bad. I've heard of people putting it into bags also.
 
Thanks for the quick replies! We ARE planning to do white/pale sand, so that's an idea. Is there any formula for amount to use, or just trial and error?

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Additionally, the tank will have plants, wood (which I know can lower pH, too) and stone, just as an aside.

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Texas Holey rock can work as well if your looking to scape with decent sized rocks. Mixing in some Argonite sand can help elevate levels too should mix fine with white/light colored sand. As far as ph dropping Mopani wood in my experience gives the ph a pretty good hit, malaysian not so much, not sure about domestic woods.
 
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