PH Buffer - Crushed Coral vs. Rock

GABBA · Jul 21, 2012

I am considering setting up an all-male Peacock tank and as such, I will need to bump up the PH. As far as I know there are two main ways to do this:
1. Crushed Coral
2. Rockery (eg: Limestone)
As I will be going down the Peacock rout, there is no requirement for a large amount of rocks, but I will still be putting a few in the tank. So my question is, what would be the better option to use? I was thinking of using (washed) play sand with limestone rocks, only because this might be the cheaper option, but it would still look good. Would using limestone rocks bump the PH up enough (my tank is 4ft x 2ft x 2ft)?

If anyone has any advice, let me know. (FYI I am in Aust and crushed coral is fairly expensive)

BillD · Jul 21, 2012

Firstly, what is your pH? If you use either as a buffer and they actually work, you will have a fluctuation every time you do a water change. The fluctuation may not occur in the pH but will occur in the Total Dissolved Solids of the tank, which is probably of more concern than the pH.

fmueller · Jul 24, 2012

For practical considerations there is no difference between the two methods you are considering. If you go the crushed route, you don't need to use it for your entire substrate. Just mixing in a small bag with the sand you are using will do the job. You might find this article of interest.

PH Buffer - Crushed Coral vs. Rock

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