Substrate change to crushed coral?

[AJF]

Well I'm starting to not like the generic gravel that's in my tank, and I really like the look of crushed coral. The tank residents include 2 rainbow cichlids, and 1 rhino pleco.

My only concern about the crushed coral is if the change in ph is going to be too drastic for the rainbows. I'm less concerned about the pleco, because I know they can adjust to various ph's but I've had him for about 5 years and don't want to take any risks in losing him.

So will the crushed coral be ok, or should I try to go another route?

 

[mooman]

I'm not totally sure, but I think it will change the ph slow enough not to stress fish. Try this put an inch of the substrate in a 5g bucket and measure ph over a day or so. A change in ph of .2 or .3 per day is the recomendation that I got from people. What is your ph to start? I use cichlid mix sand which raised my ph from 7.2 up to 8.0, but I didn't have any fish in the tank at the time, and don't know how fast it happened.

 

[JSchmidt]

If you suddenly change all the substrate, yes, the pH jump could be sufficient to harm the fish. A better solution would be to gradually add crushed coral to the tank -- even if in a nylon stocking to keep it separate from the old gravel -- until the pH slowly increases. Then, when pH has hit 7.6 - 7.8 (as high as coral will take it) you can swap out all the old gravel and replace it with new. I'd start by adding a cup or two of crushed coral, in a stocking, to the tank. Then, add a cup or two every week until pH tops about about 7.6.

HTH,
Jim

 

[AJF]

Thanks guys, I think I'll take your advice and slowly add the crushed coral to the tank.

My current ph is ~7.2 so it shouldn't be too drastic if I do it slowly.