Crushed Coral - Aquarium Advice

wilson_004 · 12-06-2006, 05:47 PM

I have just added crushed coral in my filter to increase the buffering capacity in my cichlid tank and was just wondering how long does it take to become active at boosting kh as ive read it doesnt happen right away and does it also increase the ph and how often do i need to take it out and put in new crushed coral?

rich311k · 12-06-2006, 05:54 PM

It is a gradual process, as the KH rises the PH will rise as well. It last about 4-6 months depending on how much you put in.

Lonewolfblue · 12-06-2006, 10:54 PM

Like mentioned above, it will last 4-6 months, which you will then need to remove the crud that might be left and add more. Also, it will take a couple weeks to start seeing the effects. It took about 2 weeks for my kh to go from 60-100 when I had CC in my filter. I no longer use CC, as I prefer a little softer water.

**Fishyfanatic** · 12-06-2006, 11:23 PM

I agree with Lone and Rich. It took close to a month before my water leveled out with crushed coral. That was at my old location that had a natural 7.0 pH. Oh those were the good ol' days.

MSU Fan · 12-07-2006, 02:34 PM

How much crushed gravel are you supposed to add in order to raise the KH? I want to buffer the water in my 75g so that the PH won't drop so drastically because of my CO2...

**Fishyfanatic** · 12-07-2006, 05:55 PM

That depends where your current levels are and what you would like them to be. You'll need to experiment with it.

Lonewolfblue · 12-07-2006, 11:21 PM

A small handful in the filter will be plenty. That's all I had in my 75G.

12-06-2006, 05:47 PM	#1
wilson_004 Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hamilton Posts: 40 Images: 4	Crushed Coral I have just added crushed coral in my filter to increase the buffering capacity in my cichlid tank and was just wondering how long does it take to become active at boosting kh as ive read it doesnt happen right away and does it also increase the ph and how often do i need to take it out and put in new crushed coral?

12-06-2006, 10:54 PM	#3
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	Like mentioned above, it will last 4-6 months, which you will then need to remove the crud that might be left and add more. Also, it will take a couple weeks to start seeing the effects. It took about 2 weeks for my kh to go from 60-100 when I had CC in my filter. I no longer use CC, as I prefer a little softer water. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

12-06-2006, 11:23 PM	#4
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	I agree with Lone and Rich. It took close to a month before my water leveled out with crushed coral. That was at my old location that had a natural 7.0 pH. Oh those were the good ol' days. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

12-07-2006, 02:34 PM	#5
MSU Fan Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Appleton, WI Posts: 547 Images: 2	How much crushed gravel are you supposed to add in order to raise the KH? I want to buffer the water in my 75g so that the PH won't drop so drastically because of my CO2... __________________ 75g FW Planted Community; 55g African Cichlid 29g Biocube SW Reef;12g AP Mantis Shrimp/Brittle Star 2 Cats, 2 Dogs, 5 Turtles

12-07-2006, 05:55 PM	#6
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	That depends where your current levels are and what you would like them to be. You'll need to experiment with it. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

12-06-2006, 05:54 PM	#2
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,972 Images: 35	It is a gradual process, as the KH rises the PH will rise as well. It last about 4-6 months depending on how much you put in.

12-07-2006, 11:21 PM	#7
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	A small handful in the filter will be plenty. That's all I had in my 75G. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

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