Hardening water for shrimp - Substrate ?

[Autumnsky]

I have soft water with from the tap almost 0 KH and low GH and wanted to add a new substrate to my shrimp tank when I do a total clean out on it soon.

This tank will be used for some Tangerine Tiger or OEBT. I figure I can use a remineralizer for the water part of this. Recommendations and reasons accepted.

Along these same lines of thought, I'm considering Cardinal shrimp down the road when I get the water thing figured out, and they prefer a very hard water.

Any opinions about using Cichlid sand or something? Most other substrates for shrimp lower/buffer pH.

I don't have much experience changing my water in this way. Open for discussion... Thanks!

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Id probably just use crushed coral.

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[Wy Renegade]

Crushed coral or cichlid sand will both affect pH in addition to hardness. I would suggest placing a bag of crushed coral in your filter. That way you can pull it if you need to without tearing down the whole tank.

 

[Autumnsky]

Hadn't really considered something removable - That makes sense.

My pH ranges from 7.2 in winter to 6.2-6.4 for around 8 months ~

If Cichlid sand is used, does it usually set the pH a certain amount above normal or 8 or does any one know?

Then the same with coral as a substrate, would that just keep increasing the hardness and pH?

 

[Wy Renegade]

Hadn't really considered something removable - That makes sense.

My pH ranges from 7.2 in winter to 6.2-6.4 for around 8 months ~

If Cichlid sand is used, does it usually set the pH a certain amount above normal or 8 or does any one know?

Then the same with coral as a substrate, would that just keep increasing the hardness and pH?

Yes, I believe that the cichlid sand buffers the water to a pH around 8, I know that the crushed coral will usually maintain 8.1 or so.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Another and probably the best option is using salty shrimp, it's what most shrimp keepers use. For the cardinal shrimp you'll want the salty shrimp 8.5.

With my Cardinals I mix rodi water with my well water to get the right ph and tds.

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[Autumnsky]

Wow, a simple solution...that's too easy! Kidding. I haven't used anything like that so I will check into the option. Thanks guys.