Hi all - first post so apologies if this is in the wrong place!
I just thought I'd share an idea with you and also will keep you updated if it works.
My tapwater is ubelievably soft - pH 7.2 KH 0-1 GH 1 TDS 83
Because of this the pH is also very unstable. Having said that, in all the time I've kept fish I have never had a pH crash - until last week! Then it went crazy and in 5 of my 6 tanks dropped to between 4.2-5.6. The 6th tank has TMC Nutrasoil in which buffers pH but even that dropped to 5.8
I took the decision to put some coarse coral gravel into each tank just to stabilise things a little but because I keep plecos/loaches/corys didnt want to risk them damaging their barbels. I decided to put a handful or so of coral gravel into tights. My girlfriend didnt have any spare so bought some new 'pop socks' which are even better, then just cut them up.
I didnt want it showing too much so with several of the bundles I covered in Christmas Moss and bound with fishing wire and with the other 2 I put riccia fluitans into the stocking on top of the gravel.
So far they look pretty good - almost like a stone covered in moss. I've pushed other stones up against them to hide part of the sides which arent covered in moss.
The pH started to rise almost immediately and within 2 days was back to normal with no fish losses.
I'm hoping the moss 'takes' and grows properly. 4 of the tanks have no lighting at the moment although I am looking into LED strips.
Anyway, thought I'd share that lol
I just thought I'd share an idea with you and also will keep you updated if it works.
My tapwater is ubelievably soft - pH 7.2 KH 0-1 GH 1 TDS 83
Because of this the pH is also very unstable. Having said that, in all the time I've kept fish I have never had a pH crash - until last week! Then it went crazy and in 5 of my 6 tanks dropped to between 4.2-5.6. The 6th tank has TMC Nutrasoil in which buffers pH but even that dropped to 5.8
I took the decision to put some coarse coral gravel into each tank just to stabilise things a little but because I keep plecos/loaches/corys didnt want to risk them damaging their barbels. I decided to put a handful or so of coral gravel into tights. My girlfriend didnt have any spare so bought some new 'pop socks' which are even better, then just cut them up.
I didnt want it showing too much so with several of the bundles I covered in Christmas Moss and bound with fishing wire and with the other 2 I put riccia fluitans into the stocking on top of the gravel.
So far they look pretty good - almost like a stone covered in moss. I've pushed other stones up against them to hide part of the sides which arent covered in moss.
The pH started to rise almost immediately and within 2 days was back to normal with no fish losses.
I'm hoping the moss 'takes' and grows properly. 4 of the tanks have no lighting at the moment although I am looking into LED strips.
Anyway, thought I'd share that lol
I did a similar thing with a product called 'lithaqua', the only issue being you have little control of how high it raises the perameters as it will keep on buffering.
