Coral and Freshwater

[Nelson]

Will do

[Nelson]

Changed my substrate to coral today - HUGE job!!  I'm already impressed at the effect, or it may just be wishful thinking if in fact the benefits of coral take some time to realize.  I made a slight change in Ph and it hasn't dropped after a few hours.  Previously the absence of a buffering agent in my tank resulted in the elevated Ph to return to its original level quite quickly.  The white "floor" also looks pretty good.  Cloudy water right now but that should be gone by the morning.  Thanks to everyone for helping out with this.

[Nelson]

Well, it seems my satisfaction at my efforts to solve (with your help) my Ph stabillity problem was a bit premature.  I initially thought my Ph was stabilizing but after returning from a business trip I observed that after a week my Ph is STILL at +/- 7.4!  I'm now trying to raise it but having the same trouble I experienced before I changed my substrate to coral - up, then down!.  Any more suggestions folks??

[ambushman2j]

the only explanation I can think of, and I have run into this with a few customers before, I suggested that perhaps there was something in your tank working against the ph, like coral works against it being low, perhaps something in your tank is working against it staying high..what this is, I do not know however

[Nelson]

the only explanation I can think of, and I have run into this with a few customers before, I suggested that perhaps there was something in your tank working against the ph, like coral works against it being low, perhaps something in your tank is working against it staying high..what this is, I do not know however

That makes semse ambushman but aside from my fish of course, the only other thing in the tank is quite a lot of petrified wood - nothing else.  I electronically monitor my Ph  and it reads 7.43 this morning.  Although my fish don't seem to be in any discomfort, everything I read says that this is too low. I'm defintely at a loss.

[ambushman2j]

I have heard this type of thing from those people, nothing they can think of is causing the drop, but there has to be something, especially to counter the effects of crushed coral!..I wonder perhaps if the electronic monitor is faulty?..have you tried a manual test?

[Nelson]

I have heard this type of thing from those people, nothing they can think of is causing the drop, but there has to be something, especially to counter the effects of crushed coral!..I wonder perhaps if the electronic monitor is faulty?..have you tried a manual test?

Actually I haven't and I'm due to calibrate my meter.  That should have been the first thing I checked - I'll be just a little embarrased if that's the problem!

[artw]

Nelson, how is your PH doing?  it should be starting to go up now from the coral.
I wouldn't worry about sacrificing one media basket.  the coral will eventually develop biological bacteria.

actually it is quite a good media for biological bacteria. there are lots of little cracks and holes for stuff to grow in.

[Nelson]

Nelson, how is your PH doing?  it should be starting to go up now from the coral.
I wouldn't worry about sacrificing one media basket.  the coral will eventually develop biological bacteria.

actually it is quite a good media for biological bacteria. there are lots of little cracks and holes for stuff to grow in.

I changed my entire substrate to crushed coral Art, but my readings have been consistantly low, even after adding Ph 8.2.  Ambushman suggested my Ph meter might be faulty so I calibrated it and discovered it was slightly out of whack.  After some maintenance it now reads my Ph at a steady 7.73.  This is an improvement and a level I and my critters can live with.  Thanks everyone.

[ambushman2j]

good to hear it's better then you thought..hopefully it doesn't continue to drop

[luvfishies]

As I already said, just changing the substrate won't have that much of an effect. you really need waterflow over and around the coral bits. That said, you will get some buffering, but it will take a while for the effects to become apparent.

If you want to replace one of the other filter media in the Cannister, and use coral, ditch the Carbon, as it's useless as a chemical filter after a week, and then becomes biomedia, just like the coral would.

[Nelson]

As I already said, just changing the substrate won't have that much of an effect. you really need waterflow over and around the coral bits. That said, you will get some buffering, but it will take a while for the effects to become apparent.

If you want to replace one of the other filter media in the Cannister, and use coral, ditch the Carbon, as it's useless as a chemical filter after a week, and then becomes biomedia, just like the coral would.

Understood...As far as circulation goes, I've got the return flow from my large Eheim and an Aquaclear 802 for additional flow.  I believe these devices should provide adequate water movement.  BTW, my Ph this am, while the lights were still off, was 7.63 and I expect it to climb a bit once the lights come on - as it usually does.  Its only been 10 days since I changed my substrate to the coral so I'll give it some more time.  I'll be happy if I eventually I maintain a consistant Ph level of  7.8 - 8.0.

[artw]

If you want the easy way out just use Baking soda.  I've been keeping my PH up around 8.6 with baking soda for over 3 years.   I have limestone rocks in some tanks and that helps but the barebottom empty tanks maintain their PH at 8.6 with only baking soda for in my experience maximum 3-4 weeks (between water changes)

Some people will tell you that baking soda is a temporary fix,  so I invite anyone over to my apartment to test any tank.

[Nelson]

If you want the easy way out just use Baking soda.  I've been keeping my PH up around 8.6 with baking soda for over 3 years.   I have limestone rocks in some tanks and that helps but the barebottom empty tanks maintain their PH at 8.6 with only baking soda for in my experience maximum 3-4 weeks (between water changes)

Some people will tell you that baking soda is a temporary fix,  so I invite anyone over to my apartment to test any tank.

I'm going to take your advice Art...now can you recommend a dosage that will raise my Ph from 7.6 to 8.0?  120 gals but likely 100gals of water.  How much baking soda should I add after my routine 20% water changes?  Thanks

[artw]

well for the city of ottawa tap water (west ottawa) I use 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of epsom salt for 5-10 gallons of water.    
it will put your PH at 8.2,  your KH around 10 and your GH around 12.

[Nelson]

Thanks, I'll give it a try

[Nelson]

well for the city of ottawa tap water (west ottawa) I use 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of epsom salt for 5-10 gallons of water.    
it will put your PH at 8.2,  your KH around 10 and your GH around 12.

Art, can you or anyone else suggest a supplier of larger quantities of bakind soda?  Although I've never priced baking soda before, grocery style boxes are pretty small and may not be the most economical way of going.

[luvfishies]

Any bulk store (like Bulk Barn) will have it, cheaper than the grocery stores.

[artw]

I just buy the boxes from food basics.  the people probably wonder what I do with all the baking soda.  (lots of cookies)!  yeah the bulk barn idea is a good one.

[Nelson]

Thanks folks, I hadn't considered bulk retailers...DUH!!