RE: terracota pots
- Thread starter DavidZ
- Start date
I've heard of some raising pH ever so slightly as well as some lowering it...also, some people never notice any effect. I should not be an issue either way.
You can always put some in a bucket, fill with water, and test.
You can always put some in a bucket, fill with water, and test.
If you do this, you should let the water sit for a few days, and then do your intitial test, add the pot, and then test again every day or so for as long as you need to feel comfortable. Letting the water sit first will allow anything that will gas off and change pH to do it, before you start trying to measure. This reduces the other variables.
Since any possible change has the potential to be affected by the water chemistry, you are probably best off testing with tank water that you pull out during a water change....
But also, I have heard of a lot of people using pots, and no problems. Only thing is, you need to make sure that it is not glazed, sealed, or altered in any way. A lot of the other stuff they put ON terra cotta can cause problems.
But also, I have heard of a lot of people using pots, and no problems. Only thing is, you need to make sure that it is not glazed, sealed, or altered in any way. A lot of the other stuff they put ON terra cotta can cause problems.
CWO4GUNNER
USN/USCG 1974-2004 Weps
Also I would pay extra for the Italian made terracotta and stay away from terracotta made in Mexico which can contain high levels of lead. Mexican unfired pottery is know for that even for human consumption. I had to take out all my terracotta even though it was made in Italy my PH just stayed so high I had to switch to plastic and weight them with stones.
I've always heard people recommend never to put a used terracotta pot in an aquarium. Only use new previously unused pots.
The porous nature of terracotta means it absorbs chemical's like a sponge. If you've put potting soil in it- it might have phosphorous rich ferts embedded in it that could leak out and cause algae blooms. Or worse.
The porous nature of terracotta means it absorbs chemical's like a sponge. If you've put potting soil in it- it might have phosphorous rich ferts embedded in it that could leak out and cause algae blooms. Or worse.