Crushed coral freshwater plants

dolphinsrok

I have a new 35g with a 20watt light using crushed coral. I understand the crushed coral can raise ph and harden water. Any ideas on some plants that are relatively easy to grow and will thrive in that environment? I like grass in part of the tank and maybe some moss then some taller plants too.

fish_4_all

35 gallon, 20 watts, Java Fern, Java Moss will grow the best or some other easy fern. Anubias will do alright. Some crypts will grow although extremely slowly.

Do you have crushed coral as your substrate, all of it? For a fresh water plants I do not think that is gonna be a good substrate if it is.

As for GH, KH and pH, it will raise all of them to a point and that is all it will go. When I used CC it tok my GH and KH to about 10degrees or 175ppm and my pH to 7.6-7.8. It may not raise yours that muich or it may raise it more, won't know until it happens and levels out.

dolphinsrok

Thanks for the help. I like the look of Java Moss and java ferns, I like the look of the crushed coral also and I would be willing to increase light if needed. Can I mix the cr. coral with sand? Is that ok for freshwater? What else could I mix the cr coral to make it a more plant friendly tank?

fish_4_all

If you like the look, then flourite might be an option. There is something else that is used but the name of it escapes me right now.

To be honest, I am not sure if plants will grow in straight CC or not. It is not something I have dealt with. The only reason I used it at all was because my snails needed high GH, KH and pH to have healthy shells.

My main worry would be compaction of the crushed coral and sharp edges that might damage the roots. A medium grain sand should work. Small river run gravel will work.