is crushed coral sand ok for zebs?

andrewcoxon · Post by **andrewcoxon** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 9:52 pm

i use crushed coral sand for my substrate in my chiclid tank as it keeps the PH high, would this be ok to use in a zeb breeding tank? or would it make the water too acidic?

thanks.

andy

smithrc · Post by **smithrc** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 10:37 pm

you've answered you own question

not suitable.

we use childrens play sand - nice and cheap

andrewcoxon · Post by **andrewcoxon** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:06 pm

whats their preferred ph?

aquaticclarity · Post by **aquaticclarity** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:23 am

Crushed coral sand/gravel would raise the pH and hardness making the tank more alkaline (the opposite of acidic). In addition the coral based substrates tend to be courser then "freshwater" sands and gravel, which may sratch up a bottom oriented fish.

Zebras are going to want a pH in the slightly acid range, about 6.5 is working well for mine. Stick with non-water chemistry altering substrates. If you're not sure what a particular gravel/sand will do to your water you can set up some mini tests. Check the pH and hardness of the water you plan on using with the zebras. Then take a clean container (plastic cups work well) and place a small handful of the substrate you are considering in the bottom of one and then fill the cup with the same type of water you already tested. You can set up as many mini test cups as you want to check out what the substrates do to the water values. Then check the water values of the water in each cup over the next several days. Make sure to set up a cup with just water in it to be tested as some water sources contain water that may change pH as the water sits. I've seen this many times, especially in soft water laking any buffering capacity.

This way you get to see how your substrates and water interact without wasting a lot of time and energy fill and diassembling entire aquariums. No, you don't get a perfect picture do to lack of water movement and temperature influences, but you'll get a good idea of what should and shouldn't work.

The playbox sand should work well. Just make sure you don't get one that contains sea sand and be prepaired to rinse the sand VERY well before you put it in a tank.

andrewcoxon · Post by **andrewcoxon** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 8:36 am

thanks guys! great info! so do i need to add stuff to the water to make it more alkaline or is it possible that my tap water will be fine..? fingers crossed!

Raul-7 · Post by **Raul-7** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:09 am

Crushed coral (aka CaCO3) will raise both your kH (thus your pH) and your gH; depending on your tap waters pH/kH this could either affect it greatly or not.

Zebra's are pretty tolerant of water conditions, but they prefer (as aquaticclarity suggested) slightly soft, acidic water. A good range to aim for is: gH (3-8 ) and pH (6.8-7.6)

Mindy · Post by **Mindy** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:16 am

You need to get straight in your head the difference between alkaline and acid. Your high pH cichlid tank will be more alkaline.

Zebras like acid conditions. In general terms, this is a lower pH.

It's important to understand this part of the water chemistry...

Raul-7 · Post by **Raul-7** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:36 am

Mindy wrote:You need to get straight in your head the difference between alkaline and acid. Your high pH cichlid tank will be more alkaline.

Come on Mindy, no need to get hostile with the newcomer.

But he does seem confused. High pH (7.1>) Alkaline; Low pH (6.9<) Acidic.

andrewcoxon · Post by **andrewcoxon** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:38 am

thanks i get it now

Mindy · Post by **Mindy** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 6:25 am

Sorry, I really honestly didn't mean to sound hostile.

I was going to write a more detailed reply, but I was at work and suddenly had to cut it short. I figured someone else would be around to explain though...