waterlogged Posted July 3, 2011 Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 Ok so I have got some small round stones from the coast that I'm planning to use in a 445L planted tank. I have notices there are lots of small peices of shell mixed in and was wondering if this is going to cause me greif in regards to pH.? I'm planning to keep angels, dwarf cichlids, corys, catfish, tetras, and other com. SA fish in it. Is there any thing I can do to combate the pH effect? Will also have drift wood and either silica sand or black beach sand in the tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted July 3, 2011 Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 If there is enough shell then yes, it will raise the pH. When I collect beach sand I do so as far above the tide line as possible as there is less shell in it. You can always spend your evenings picking out as much excess shell as possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterlogged Posted July 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 there was only 3m of this stuff before the shore line. Any thing I can do to combat it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted July 3, 2011 Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 Maybe you can stick the gravel in a bucket and use something that will dissolve the shells? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterlogged Posted July 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 Like what? don't want to go buying Conc. HCL or anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#!CrunchBang Posted July 3, 2011 Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 could sieve the grave, so stuff smaller is removed and stuff larger is removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterlogged Posted July 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 there about the same size Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted July 3, 2011 Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 If it is fine and not too much of it may not make much difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterlogged Posted July 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 If it does would I need to down the pH often? or just with water changes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted July 3, 2011 Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 One would hope masses of plants, a good sized bit of driftwood and regular water changes would be enough to keep it steady at a pH that is not too alkaline. Fish are pretty adaptable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterlogged Posted July 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 sweet. I may do most of it in sand any way so sould be good. Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted July 3, 2011 Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 The shell will only go into solution and raise the hardness if the water is acid. Some plants and fish like or will tolerated elevated hardness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted July 3, 2011 Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 Just test it and see what it does, I know people have used beach sand with shells and stuff in it in planted tanks before.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterlogged Posted July 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2011 I will. just be a pain if I have to change it all. I know of people who have been using the sand so I'm not to worried about that. And my tank that everything is in at the moment is reasonable neutral. Fingers crossed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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