[Doc4PC2]

Hi,
My PH level using inert substrate, RO water and shrimp supplement, and nothing else is 6.0 to 6.2. I am wondering if my PH is too low?

In my new tank, I was thinking about putting in a small layer of crushed coral, a layer of Moon sand, and a layer on top of inert black gravel.

It would raise my PH levels this way, be good for plants, and with the inert black gravel on top, then the moon sand won't fly all over the place when the CRS shrimp are digging. Plus the moon sand would help with plants.

My question is: Is my PH level of 6.0 to 6.2 too low for CRS?

What do you think about using the crushed coral,
Moon Sand, and inert black gravel for substrate
for CRS shrimp only tank?

 

[wicca27]

ph is fine for the shrimp. alot of people say they need the minerals active substrate has for them to be good. i had crs on pool filter sand and they breed for me and i had babies. might be low numbers and pretty slow to breeding but it can be done.

 

[sbarbee54]

Put a air stone in it for 24-48 hours should come up to around 7. Also if it is a fresh tank just cycling the ammonia in it could be throwing it off

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

 

[Fiftymeatballs]

A ph in the low 6's is ideal for CRS but with inert substrate and RO you risk a ph crash due to a 0kh. I don't think it's the best idea to add crushed coral to the tank substrate since once it's all in your stuck with it. If it raises your ph too much it will be hard to adjust without breaking the whole tank down. You can easily buffer your water with very small amounts of baking soda added to maintain a KH of 1. If you really wanted to go the crushed coral route adding to your filter is the best way, but I wouldn't with shrimp... period. You should be looking to maintain a KH of 1, just enough to hold your ph in the 6 range. KH of 1 is so little that your CRS won't care as long as you hold that level stable, that's the key. If there is one thing I learned about shrimp keeping it's stability.

 

[plamski]

+1
You can't control PH with corals.Backing soda is the way to go.You will need good PH meter to be in track,thought.

 

[Doc4PC2]

Do you need an air stone with a sponge filter and a HOB?

Also, the substrate that I have is: Inert black gravel, Moon Sand, and Crushed Coral

What do you thing would be the best thing for substrate out of the three?

 

[Subtletanks91]

I would just break the bank and grab a bag of Amazonia my friend. In the long run using pure ro water remineralized with Amazonia is the best. Keep the ph gh and kh stable doing the ss gh plus to water. Stability is key to keeping any type of invertebrate, no matter if it's the common rcs or uncommon prl and kk.

 

[dubels]

Do you need an air stone with a sponge filter and a HOB?

Also, the substrate that I have is: Inert black gravel, Moon Sand, and Crushed Coral

What do you thing would be the best thing for substrate out of the three?

You don't need an air stone with a sponge filter and hob. It was suggested to help you stabilize your PH for a better reading. Air exchange debases co2 from water and over time it can result in a rise in ph. But if you test half way between water changes and it doesn't change you are fine. If it changes you might want to consider a substrate with more buffering ability or raising the KH.

 

[Doc4PC2]

I can't find Amazonia substrate for sale anywhere, does anyone know where I can buy it?

 

[Subtletanks91]

Yeah go to aqua forest aquariums website. I think its like Ada.com or something. 30$ for a 9l bag of regular amazonia.

The only thing I dislike about amazonia is that you have to cycle the substrate until it leeches no ammonia or until your filtration can get the ammnoia under control and process however much ammonia the substrate gives off in the end to 0 in less than 24 hours. Please correct me if I'm wrong guys.

 

[Doc4PC2]

Yeah go to aqua forest aquariums website. I think its like Ada.com or something. 30$ for a 9l bag of regular amazonia.

The only thing I dislike about amazonia is that you have to cycle the substrate until it leeches no ammonia or until your filtration can get the ammnoia under control and process however much ammonia the substrate gives off in the end to 0 in less than 24 hours. Please correct me if I'm wrong guys.

Is that in the US, or do you have to order it from some place overseas or in Asia?