Can crushed coral be used as substrate in fresh water?

Can crushed coral be used as substrate in fresh water?

 

Yes it can. It’s mostly used in african cichlid tanks to raise the Ph.

 

Yes it can. It’s mostly used in african cichlid tanks to raise the Ph.

Would it be safe for a beta? I have a 10 gallon I wanted to start cycling

If not what could I use it for with a 10 gallon? I'm open to other fishies instead

 

There aren't any fish that require high Ph that can fit in a 10 gallon. I personally wouldn’t do crushed coral for a betta tank but, if its the only substrate you can get, then it’ll be fine for the fish.

 

Can crushed coral be used as substrate in fresh water?

Hello Jas...

I guess you could, if you have very acidic tap water. This type of substrate would have sharp edges if the material is crushed, so it wouldn't be as safe for fish as something that's polished. But, the vast majority of fish you get at the local pet stores will be fine in the vast majority of plain old, treated tap water. So, why would you need to use it?

Old

 

There aren't any fish that require high Ph that can fit in a 10 gallon. I personally wouldn’t do crushed coral for a betta tank but, if its the only substrate you can get, then it’ll be fine for the fish.

Well I have a huge bag I got for my 20 gallon to raise low ph. Only needed a cup to put in the HOB to raise it. Now ive got a ton of it and I figured it wouod be better to put it to use

Hello Jas...

I guess you could, if you have very acidic tap water. This type of substrate would have sharp edges if the material is crushed, so it wouldn't be as safe for fish as something that's polished. But, the vast majority of fish you get at the local pet stores will be fine in the vast majority of plain old, treated tap water. So, why would you need to use it?

Old

I do not have acidic tap. I live in Colorado and our tap is beautiful . I just don't want to waste it

 

Would it be safe for a beta? I have a 10 gallon I wanted to start cycling

a common substrate for bettas tends to be sand or gravel from what ive noticed, and I personally use sand with my betta

 

Guppys would be cool to. Ive never had them. Its gonna be a tank for my 5 year old daughter. Betas are beautiful and easy that's why I was leaning that way

 

Guppys would be cool to. Ive never had them. Its gonna be a tank for my 5 year old daughter. Betas are beautiful and easy that's why I was leaning that way

personally, I think the betta would be your best bet. I'm not really sure if guppies are appropriate for a 10g, but I do know from my grandpa who raised them that they tend to breed like crazy if you choose t0 mix them, and that could probably lead to an overstocking issue if the babies are not eaten by the adults and do make it to maturity so there is always the safe route to going with just a group of females or males, but again I'm not really sure if theyre suitable for a 10 gallon

 

personally, I think the betta would be your best bet. I'm not really sure if guppies are appropriate for a 10g, but I do know from my grandpa who raised them that they tend to breed like crazy if you choose t0 mix them, and that could probably lead to an overstocking issue if the babies are not eaten by the adults and do make it to maturity so there is always the safe route to going with just a group of females or males, but again I'm not really sure if theyre suitable for a 10 gallon

But the substrate wouldnt hurt a betta if cycled properly before hand?

 

a common substrate for bettas tends to be sand or gravel from what ive noticed, and I personally use sand with my betta

They also LOVE smooth pebbles. I just added some to my Betta tank last week and he immediately became obsessed with it

 

You have enough post now to post in the buy and sell section of this forum. Lots of folks use crushed coral. If you are willing to ship it you could break it up into smaller amounts and sell it to folks that need it and then use that money to buy a suitable substrate.