sand over crushed coral?

My large snail tank is currently bare bottom. I have a net bag in there full of crushed coral to help keep the ph up. I would like to add sand to the tank at some point, but I also need the coral. I don't want to have coral on the top layer though, as it is not nice for the snails to glide over.

So my question is - If I put crushed coral down as the first layer, and sand over top, will the coral still be as effective on keeping the ph up, even though it is less exposed? I know sand raises ph too, but its not enough.

Thanks!

 

The coral will eventually rise to the top. The smaller diameter substrate will always push the larger to the surface.

I would keep it in a media bag and stash it behind a piece of decor or something.

 

What if you took a spare HOB filter and put the coral bag in where the filter media should go?

 

If you are also trying to keep your KH/GH up then drop in some cuttlebone. I have 3 cuttlebones in my 15 gallon snail breeder tank and their shells look so much better because my tap water KH is 3-4 degrees. I also add sodium bicarbonate to my brackish tank for the same reason.

Doesn't limestome add PH? Maybe a few limestone rocks will do the trick.

 

Thanks everyone.

Jaysee, I didn't think about it come up through the sand. What if I kept it in the bag, and buried it? Would it still affect the water's ph?

Aylad - normally I would, but the amount needed is excessive lol

JRC3 - I did use cuttlebone at one point. Only I guess I didn't use enough. I was only putting in a half piece into a 30 gallon. If you've had success with 3/15 gallons maybe I'll try adding a ton more lol. Yes, limestone raises it too, but I need to read a bit more about it.

I have been struggling with this for far too long. I'm hoping that after I have sold the remaining young snails (only about 10) that it will help even just a bit.

 

there is water movement through the sand but its slow. I'm not sure if it's enough to do what you want.

have you thought about using some sort of barriar and making a portion of the tank coral? It will be easier to keep them separate.

 

Hmm... well I could just hide bags of it around the tank. Is it still effective even when its bagged and not overly exposed to water flow? I might consider the coral part of the tank. Maybe I could section off a small end and fill it with coral. Might look pretty ugly though. Not that it looks great now, all BB fake plants and all lol

 

Yes, there will be water flow through the bag. I think the advantage of having it on top of the sand versus under the sand is the access to the better current. The bag of coral will release....whatever it releases, and the current will distribute it. I think that that would be more efficient on top than underneath the sand.

 

great thanks jaysee!