Will coral affect freshwater aquarium pH level?

**koolman** · 14th May 2007, 11:31

Hi,
I just add a few piece of coral that have been wash and dry for quite sometime, will the coral affect my 4ft freshwater aquarium PH level? Pls advise.

Thanks and regards,

Koolman

**Aquaculture** · 14th May 2007, 11:34

If I remember correctly, it will increase your PH level.

**koolman** · 14th May 2007, 11:43

Hi,
I do like the coral that are in my tank. Is there anyway that I could do to reduce the PH level without removing the coral? Thanks

Cheers

Koolman

**Aquaculture** · 14th May 2007, 13:33

Adding peat in your filter canister would lower your PH. So would the additional of CO2...

**koolman** · 14th May 2007, 13:58

Hi,
Please pardon my ignorance. May I know what is peats and where can I get it? Thanks

Regards,

Koolman

**Quixotic** · 14th May 2007, 15:02

Since you like the coral and want to keep it, why not keep fishes that can tolerate the pH level instead?

I would not suggest adding peat or anything, just to "equalise" the pH. Things may horribly go wrong if not done correctly.

**AquaObsession** · 14th May 2007, 15:03

coral will affect pH and kH(or gH)! Am I right?

**koolman** · 14th May 2007, 15:26

Hi,
My intention is to moniter the fishes and my pnt for a few days. If there is something wrong, I will do something to resolve it. Maybe, I should get a PH meter to check my aquarium water.

Thanks

Koolman

**michael lai** · 14th May 2007, 17:44

Hi Koolman,
Coral or crushed coral chips will buffer and harden your water. Over time, it will remain at around 7. Forget peat and Co2, my advise this is too dangerous a path to take, too many things you can't control.

There are many options though, like slate, river rocks, fossilized wood, drift wood and so forth.

**koolman** · 14th May 2007, 19:57

Hi micheal,
You mean that I had to remove the coral in order to remain the ph level in the water?

Thanks and regards,

Koolman

**michael lai** · 14th May 2007, 20:20

No, the coral will buffer and harden the water to PH 7. If you want the PH lower, you got to remove the coral. Then add peat filtration or Co2 to lower the PH. With the coral, this would be near impossible.

If you like a certain scape, maybe use other rocks or wood to replicate instead of corals. Only african cichlid enthusiasts use crushed corals because of their high PH demands. Most plant enthusiasts or apistos hobbyists require a much lower PH environment. Totina sp for instance will not tolerate high PH.

You must understand a slight movement of 1 PH jump will likely cause most of your fauna to die overnight. So avoid unnecessary adjustments of PH level. PH 7 is considered the neutral point, below water would be considered soft and above hard. Do some research into this before commiting to more exotic fauna or the lesson would be costly. I hope this is useful.

Cheerio

**koolman** · 15th May 2007, 00:05

Hi bro,
I have learnt something new today. Thanks for providing me with all this information.

Regards

Koolman

**Desmond** · 15th May 2007, 00:10

u can keep malawi, tanganyika or victorian cichlids. They require higher ph lvls.

**koolman** · 15th May 2007, 00:25

Presently, I am keeping 1 PNT, 1 ST, 1 Batfish, 1 Guraimi, 3 birchirs, 3 peco, etc. Do you think there will be any problem with them? Thanks

Cheers,

Koolman

**valice** · 15th May 2007, 00:35

Err... What's PNT and ST?

Seems like you have a predator tank with the Ray (I am assuming that from your Batfish) and the Bichirs...

**juggler** · 15th May 2007, 01:23

koolman:

If you are not injecting CO2, I believe the corals won't dissolve so fast. And pH and kH won't rise fast too. Why not monitor and see if any ill-effects?

**r4211z** · 15th May 2007, 01:44

Originally Posted by valice

Err... What's PNT and ST?

Seems like you have a predator tank with the Ray (I am assuming that from your Batfish) and the Bichirs...

PNT=Pig Nose Turtle
ST = Siamese Tiger

Hope i'm right

**michael lai** · 15th May 2007, 01:48

Haha, you have a zoo in there, koolman.

by the way, most of the critters in there can tolerate PH7.

**koolman** · 15th May 2007, 20:07

Hi all,
I am glad to hear from so many friends in the forum. I agree with micheal lai that my fish shouldnt have problem with the coral. I do have a small zoo at home cos I have pig nose turtle, siamese tiger, bichir, etc in 1 tank.

I am looking for a good camera so that I could snap some good shot and post it online. Thanks

Regards,

Koolman

**michael lai** · 15th May 2007, 20:47

ahh......great,why don't you start a new thread on what to recomend for a digital camera. I'm sure the brethrens will be more than willing to help, I;m also learning about fish photography.