Can Crushed Coral raise pH and add filtration?

[targaboy78]

I am try to raise my pH slightly in my 15g Quarantine Tank.

I have heard that by using a 50/50 mix of crushed coral with your gravel / sand will keep the pH up a little and adds buffering to the system.

As an experiment; Instead of mixing crushed coral into the substrate, I put it in a media bag and added it into my power filter.

A:> Will this work ?
Theoretically, over time (if it works), it may raise my pH too far but it will be easy to remove it. (Just remove the bag rather than sifting through the substrate)

B:> Will the surface area of the coral add to my biological filtration ?
To me, It seems no different than putting in bioballs, or other media.

Any thoughts ?

 

[targaboy78]

Update:

Did it work? Boy oh Boy! Did it ever.

As far as the surface area of the coral adding to my biological filtration... Inconclusive.

BUT it sure did a number on my pH. It went from 6.8 to 7.4 in just 3 days.
I aborted the experiment at that point. All I wanted was a little boost.

Maybe next time, if I need a pH boost, I'll try adding a smaller amount.

 

[Guest]

I wish I'd have seen this earlier, by now you know the answers!

In addition to the ph increase your GH and KH will go up too.

Props to you for thinking to just add a bag of it to the filter, so the experiment was simple to start and end.