How much crushed coral do you recommend?

[TrickyD119]

I've got some crushed coral on the way in hopes that it will buffer my KH up into the 3°-4° range.

Current parameters…
29 gallon
pH = 6.8
KH < 1°
Inhabitants listed in sig’

Any guess as to how many cups/ounces etc… that I should add in hopes of getting as close to my target range as possible?

Also is the addition of crushed coral somewhat permanent, or does it need to be changed from time to time?

I’ve got a CO2 system on the way and want to prepare my water for it.

Thanks!

 

[blueturq]

Crushed coral lasts for quite a while, and to be one the safe side..... do some water tests for ph and/or kh or gh every few months, just to make sure that the ph hasn't gone down, and if it has, then just throw a pinch of crushed coral in the tank!

You can alternativley used crushed coral in your filter in a media bag.

I find it easier to throw some crushed coral into my aquarium(s), but that's just me lol!

 

[TrickyD119]

Crushed coral lasts for quite a while, and to be one the safe side..... do some water tests for ph and/or kh or gh, just to make sure that the ph hasn't gone down, and if it has then just throw a pinch of crushed coral in the tank!

You can alternativley used crushed coral in your filter in a media bag.

I find it easier to throw some into my aquarium(s), but that's just me!

Thanks for the tips blue, I appreciate it.

Any idea how much it'll take on a 29g to move it 3 degrees? Perhaps not even specific but are we talking a couple hand fulls or something like teaspoons?

 

[JSchmidt]

I'd put a couple of tablespoons in a filter bag or nylon stocking and put it in the filter. It may take a week or two for you to see if you have enough (or too much) so keep testing every few days for 2-4 weeks. Add more if KH flattens out, or remove some if it's rising too high.

HTH,
Jim

 

[TrickyD119]

I'd put a couple of tablespoons in a filter bag or nylon stocking and put it in the filter. It may take a week or two for you to see if you have enough (or too much) so keep testing every few days for 2-4 weeks. Add more if KH flattens out, or remove some if it's rising too high.

HTH,
Jim

Exactly what I needed. Thanks JS'

 

[ChileRelleno]

I use bagged CC in my filters, becuase of some problems with very very low PH I had in the past.

OK, first my standard warning...

Stable PH levels from 6-8.PH will suffice for almost any fish once acclimated, specific PH levels are usually only really necessary for some enviromentally temperamental fish and some breeding situations IMO.
KH serves primarily as buffering capability to hold your PH steady.
Fiddling with PH, KH and GH is asking for trouble without first thoroughly testing your waters parameters - out of the tap fresh & aged - after aging/maturing in the tank, then studying/researching the best methods for altering your particular water and careful prep for the actual alteration.
Without this your very liable to PH swings.
Tapwater PH, KH and GH - fresh & aged 24 hrs
Tankwater PH, KH and GH - current steady levels with no adjustments, tested weekly for atleast a month.
Type(s) of substrate, driftwoods, CO2, Plants and filter medias?

All sorts of things to take into account...

Anyways if your going to do this, start small and work your way up slowly !

For my particular chemistry, aprox 1 tblsp works for my 10gal tanks and one and a half cups for my 75gal.
This amount (1.5cups/75gal) took me from readings of minus 5.PH, 1.DKH and 5.DGH to 7.PH, 4.DKH and 6.DGH, these readings have been rock steady now for 6+ months.

Every tanks chemistry is different, proceed with caution!
I would recommend you start with one (1) tablespoon, bagged and in your filter, test PH, KH and GH every two or days (2-3days) or more for atleast two weeks before adding more if necessary. I would add one (1) teaspoon at a time after the initial one tblsp and repeat testing/timeframe

 

[TrickyD119]

Very informative post, ChileRelleno I definitely appreciate that.

Certainly I’d prefer to not interfere with the natural pH level in my tank as my tap water is roughly 7.2pH, 1.0KH, (aged) but my 29g in question is closer to 6.8pH, <1.0KH and from what I’ve gathered, attempting pressurized CO2 injection in an environment like that is asking for trouble. Is that accurate?

I will heed your advice on the addition, that sounds like a very accurate and safe way to approach it.

One final question…

Can I slowly adjust the KH with the CO2 system running if I am careful, or should I wait until I’ve completely stabilized the KH before I ever hook up the CO2?

 

[ChileRelleno]

(1) From what I’ve gathered, attempting pressurized CO2 injection in an environment like that is asking for trouble. Is that accurate?
__________________________________________________
I will heed your advice on the addition, that sounds like a very accurate and safe way to approach it.
One final question…
__________________________________________________
(2) Can I slowly adjust the KH with the CO2 system running if I am careful, or should I wait until I’ve completely stabilized the KH before I ever hook up the CO2?

(1) from what I know of planted tanks and CO2, which is'nt alot granted,
I would say that is accurate.

I'm guessing your adding the CO2 for plants?

(2)Remember, adding the CC is going to raise your PH along with your KH, But CO2 and plants will counteract some of that. I would think that getting the levels up now would make it easier to adjust later with additional CC. But at the same time I think I remember reading something about too much KH or GH affecting plant growth or something ....

This really is complicated stuff, messing with PH, KH and GH.
If your doing this for a planted tank I strongly urge you to find a planted tank :bowing: Guru, plenty of planted tank sites/forums, good people here and there's some good ones over at Aquarium advice too.
For Plants I'm in over my head quite honestly....

 

[TrickyD119]

For Plants I'm in over my head quite honestly....

I appreciate your help and honesty.

It is definitely for plants. I’ve recently upgraded to 2wpg and my tank is pretty heavily planted already so I'm trying to get things ready for pressurized CO2 so I can stop dosing Flourish Excel and be prepared when I upgrade everything over to a 55g in the future.

Thanks again for the help

 

[ChileRelleno]

Your welcome and it's my pleasure .
Have fun!