Coral and Freshwater

[Nelson]

Great meeting and auction last night - congrats to the executive and videographers.  
Can I have your opinion on the pros/cons of the use of coral in a cichlid tank.  I have consistently low (7.4-7.6) and fluctuating Ph that I would like to get under control.  I've heard that adding crushed coral is one method to raise and buffer a tanks Ph.  True?

[saltydog]

Coral substrate provides a stable PH of at least 7.8. Can't really think of any points against except  the cost.  Some cichlids may prefer sand but you can buy sugar-size coral (aragonite) in that case. A fine substrate does not "hide" as much detritus.

You can also raise PH by putting coral gravel in your filter or adding coral rock to the tank.

[Nelson]

Sounds like coral is my answer.  Thanks for taking the time to respond.

[328iGuy]

Sounds like coral is my answer.  Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Just so you are aware, I wouldn't say that the crushed coral as a substrate is going to RAISE you're pH as it has never done so for me, but it will keep it stable if you use bicarbonate (Baking Soda) to raise it yourself, which I do and it works well.  Go for it!

[Nelson]

I recall your previous advice to me on the subject Guy but I must admit I haven't tried using the bicard yet.  I don't have a problem with raising my Ph - what I'm really aiming for is something, other than the expensive retail products available,  that will effectively maintain (buffer) my water so I have a fairly consistent Ph reading.  If I can use coral for this purpose that would be great and I would have the additional benefit of a fairly attractive (if not environmentaly authentic) substrate.

[328iGuy]

That is exactly what the crushed coral will do for you.

[gvv]

1. Crushed coral as substrate is good buffer (7.8-7.9pH) and works fine for me. Just to remind - the pH will arise from lower level not at once (and this is good), but after some time.
2. Concerning the size, I suggest not the sugar-size,  as saltdog mentioned, but a little bigger size (as it was on the auction yesturday). My cichlids love to dig it.

[Nelson]

Very much appreciate the advice and support.  Picking up 130lbs of coral tonight!

[ambushman2j]

wooooooahh what size tank is this for??..just keep in mind a 35 lb bag did my 77 gallon tank and I had a little extra!..you might be spending more then you need to, unless you really want deep deep substrate

[328iGuy]

wooooooahh what size tank is this for??..just keep in mind a 35 lb bag did my 77 gallon tank and I had a little extra!..you might be spending more then you need to, unless you really want deep deep substrate

Its a package deal he is getting, not specific to tank size .

[gvv]

I have eggcrate on the bottom of the tank, so it is about 1/2", which my "boys" cannot dig, so I had to add more on top...
BTW, Nelson, I suggest use eggcrate on the bottom, place all your stones on it and only after that add WASHED coral, so when cichlids will dig, they will not hurt themselves.

[Nelson]

I don't think I'll be needing any crushed coral for some time to come !!

[Nelson]

I'm not following the advantage of "egg crating".  Can you please explain further?  My understanding of egg crating is the use of the plastic cover found on fleurescent light fixtures.  Is this accurate?

[328iGuy]

I'm not following the advantage of "egg crating".  Can you please explain further?  My understanding of egg crating is the use of the plastic cover found on fleurescent light fixtures.  Is this accurate?

Thats exactly it, found at Home Deopt etc...

The use of this is that there is no DIRECT pressure point on you're bottom glass from rock edges etc, as well as if a rock was to tip or fall it would fall on the egg crate which would disperse/break the fall across the entire bottom of the tank so no tragedies happen!

[Nelson]

Absolutely makes sense to me - DONE!!

[luvfishies]

Just remember that you need water flow over the coral to have the best buffering. Just adding it to a stagnant substrate isn't enough.

[Nelson]

I guess the only way to accomplish that would be to use powerhead pointed downward....right?

[luvfishies]

You could always add some in a filter bag and stuff it into the filter. It will become good biomedia this way, and will only need rinsing, just like your sponges.

UGF or RUGF filtration will also accomplish this, but it's not the greatest filtration out there.

[Nelson]

I agree with adding coral to my filter, in fact I planned to do that tonight in advance of making the complete change over.  What concerns me slightly is that, in order to accomodate the coral in sufficient quantity that it will be effective, I'll have to sacrifice the contents of one of the regular filtration media baskets currently in my three stage filter (Eheim 2028).  Shouldn't have a serious effect I would think.

[328iGuy]

I agree with adding coral to my filter, in fact I planned to do that tonight in advance of making the complete change over.  What concerns me slightly is that, in order to accomodate the coral in sufficient quantity that it will be effective, I'll have to sacrifice the contents of one of the regular filtration media baskets currently in my three stage filter (Eheim 2028).  Shouldn't have a serious effect I would think.

This has been my concern about adding it to my Eheim 2026 as well.  Let me know which media you substitue out for the coral!