Is it worth raising PH?

29Kilo29

I saw considering buying from here:

http://www.petsandponds.com/en/aquar...670/index.html


any suggestions?

Byron

That is medium hard which is not bad, but raising it a couple dGH won't hurt, and that will raise the pH too. I still suggest my previous idea of a cup or so of that gravel in a mesh bag in the filter. That should do it.

If you do want to switch substrates, that's another matter. The above will work with what you now have.

Tazman

to that supplier. I use them for all my stuff and they are well worth it. Ship super quick as well.

29Kilo29

I can use the gravel in the filter for now, but I was already considering re-designing the tank...

I am getting a little sick of the gravel I have now, and was considering switching to sand or something similar to sand, but not quite sure what type, as I have never used sand before.

Byron

The crushed coral/aragonite tan-coloured sand is very authentic for the rift lakes; CarribSea make it, there are probably other manufacturers. There is specific rift lake sand too, probably more expensive. Some stores sell plain crushed coral sand in bulk.

29Kilo29

Any ideas where to buy substrate online in Canada? My LFS doesn't have the greatest selection.



I was also considering more rocks... Lace rocks to be particular, as I already have some. Would they help raise hardness?

Something like these Lace Rock Assorted Sizes and Shapes - 20 Pounds - Including Additional Freight Within NS, PE, NB, MB, SK - Pets & Ponds

Sorry for the bombardment of questions :)

Byron

I have lace rock in my 70g, and prevously had the same bits in other tanks. I bought it in 1997, and never noticed any impact on pH. I didn't mess with GH back then, but I am sure if it had raised it the pH would have gone up too. I believe it is inert. I know my local store where I bought it wold have mentioned this, as it was a concern for me.

I order online for some things, including Flourite substrate. I used Big Al's:
Big Als Pets Canada
I have also used Pets & Ponds, though not for substrates but they have some:
AQUARIUM SUPPLIES - Pets & Ponds

These are both in Canada, and offer quite good prices and shipping discounts. PlaySand I buy from Home Depot, and Lowe's have it too. You won't get sand as inexpensive as this anywhere.

29Kilo29

Well I guess I will get the lace rock for decoration...I'm terrible at estimating, would 20 or 50lbs be better? (75g)

I guess I will take a trip to Big Al's sometime next week and see what kind of substrate they have in stock, hopefully crushed coral sand.

The issue now becomes actually changing the gravel...

Any good guides on changing substrate in an established aquarium?

29Kilo29

Just wondering about putting crushed coral in the filter... do I just dump it in or should I contain it somehow? And should I just keep adding it slowly until the appropriate Ph is reached?

1077

I would place it in mesh bag or nylon were it me.
Would remove this bag every so often and rinse it under hot tapwater to remove dirt,mulm,algae,bacteria to prevent this from collecting on the coral and thus reducing effectivenss.
Would not clean any other filter material under tapwater however.
1/2 cup to one cup per 10 or 20 gallons gallons might be place to start.(depending on current hardness or lack thereof)
Could place this amount in 5 gal bucket or 20 gal tote,tub, and see what it does to hardness over a period of a week and adjust amount if needed.