Mystic54

Well aside from going down to the ocean and picking up a few seashells, where do I find these at?
My pH is at 6.0 and I'd rather have it in the non-acidic range.

iloveengl

Check out the craft area of Walmart, or look in Hobby Lobby or Michaels or the equivalent where you live. I've seen them there.

Toddnbecka

You may be able to get a small amount of crushed coral from your LFS. A handful in a filter or scattered among the gravel (or on top of the sand) will work quite well.

Mystic54

I think my LFS has some saltwater tanks with coral beds. If they give me a handful would it be okay to add to my freshwater??

Shawnie

should be fine if you rinse it well before adding it to your FW tank

Mystic54

Alrighty, thanks Shawnie. And if I can't get some from their tanks I will take a trip to the craft store for some shells.

TedsTank

It might take a while for the shells to take affect.....I have heard that you can put in one of those bird cuttle bones also

Mystic54

I just put them in a couple days ago and so far no effects on the PH. I have some cuttlebone at home, I could try that.

bolivianbaby

Hello, Mystic.

Petsmart sells crushed coral. You could use that as well

Butterfly

The crushed coral would come closer to doing what you want than shells. Shells dissolve so slowly that during water changes you remove what has been dissolved.
As for changing the water parameters you want them to change very slowly to keep from affecting your fish adversely.
Carol

Mystic54

Hmm I think I will go out to get some crushed coral tomorrow. Now over time would I ever have to replace the coral or will it always give off that certain product that up's the PH?

Toddnbecka

Eventually the coral will dissolve, but it will likely last for years.

lorabell

ok everyone...Im trying to get from 6.4 to high 7's any ideas on amounts...and I know I need to go very slow...but how soon do ya see changes

Butterfly

It should be a very slow change. What are you keeping that you need a higher ph for? most fish are aquarium raised and adapt very nicely to most water parameters.
Carol

lorabell

lol....its a secret...ok I give.....I AM somewhat on the DARKSIDE.....actually I am in process of getting my SEAHORSES...the ones I am getting prefer like 7.8-8.0...the other thing ..for my poor mystery snails in my community tank...just want to bump it a teenie bit...what I was planning was using the stocking trick near the putflow of the filter...how does that sound..I really dont want it mixed with my sand or my gravel

Toddnbecka

In a stocking, or just lying loosely in the bottom of an HOB filter if you don't want to mix it into your substrate is fine.

lorabell

thanks...ok but does a little do a lot want to go REAL easy

TedsTank

your mystery snails might enjoy chewing on a bit of cuttle bone for the calcium..snails have rasping teeth...it is fairly soft...dont know it it sinks!!!

Toddnbecka

It depends on how acidic your water is to begin with. Coral won't raise the pH higher than 7.6-7.8, baking soda will raise it to 8.0 and buffer it.

Mystic54

I'm definitely going to raise the PH before I try a BN. I didn't know the PH drastically alters the way a fish adapts to it's environment so much.

lorabell

hmmmmmm thanks everybody!!!! lol...dont know why I forgot about the cuttle-bone...and I only have 13 birds!!!!