Crushed coral question

[reiverix]

Last weekend I added a tablespoon of crushed coral to my filter in my 75g. Normally my KH hovers around 3dH and pH is at 6.5 with CO2 injection.

Now my KH has risen to 4dH and my pH is at ~6.8 giving me only about 19ppm CO2. It didn't really cross my mind that I might have to increase my bubble count but it kind of makes sense since my water is better buffered. Is this normal?

 

[djlen]

Increasing injection is a subjective thing. The increase in kH only allows that you can increase your bubble count.........not that you have to.
If things are going well it may not be necessary to change it.
I have found that once my tanks reach the balance point that I was looking for, I could actually lower CO2 into the 15 - 20ppm range and get the same results.

Len

 

[ergo sum]

Sounds to me like you just made one of these although I could be wrong.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/

I have been adding Kent Coral Builder to my tank. The tap water has 2 degree dKH 35.70ppm But the tank only seems to have 1 degree 17.85 ppm acording to the test kit I have. Before I started adding it I got no test results at all. One drop of regent turned yellow. Anyway with the Kent product I am adding both carbonate and bicarbonate I assume this is CaCO3 and NaHCO3. But I am not sure.

I am simply trying to make sure the PH (which is about 6.4) is stable. I am not trying to raise it so I add less than I am suppose to a little at a time. And test the water the next day. Right now I am using 1/2 teaspoon dissolved in about 4.5g of water. (I use 5g buckets) FWIW.

 

[reiverix]

I can't say I've noticed any difference in plant growth. Everything looks the same. I'll leave it be for another week then I may push it up to 30ppm just to see if it really does make a difference.