Coral in FW Tank

[jimbooo]

Hi Everyone, i have just got back from hols in Tobago, WI. in amongst all the bamboo carvings and other souvenier rubbish i have brought back a small pretty bright white stone and a small piece of coral (don't panic it was lying on the beach after Ivan Hit, i didn't pick it from the reef) obviously the corals dead and i was wondering if i could put it in my freshwater tank anong with the stone for decor?? Is there any reason why this wouldn't be a good idea??

just thought i'd check before i put it in?

Thanks anyone who replys

 

[Vip]

i have heaps of it in my 180g and one large bit in my 79g, they have been in there for over a year without any problems at all.

From what i remember its good for the tank because it adds calcium (sp?) and also makes the PH go up abit.

 

[jams.alaskan]

It can change your ph not to mention that it may also have decaying organisms attached. I myself stay away from adding corals and seashells to my freshwater setups for just those reasons...

ALASKA

 

[jimbooo]

ahh thanks to both of you. really confused now...

any one else

the corals the typical white rough surface kind. about the size of a cigarrette packet the tanks 10 gallon.

 

[Vip]

james has a point, mine were dead for about 10years or so.

 

[CFC]

Before you add coral to your tank you need to know the pH and KH of the water, coral will raise the pH and hardness of the water significantly and if your levels are already high this can be dangerous for your fish (unless you keep species which preffer hard alkeline conditions like malaiwi and tanganykian species). Many fish keepers with a low carbonate hardness (KH) and acidic pH use crushed coral or coral sand to bring these levels up a bit and make the water more stable, before you add the piece i suggest either buying the test kits or if your lfs tests water take it to them, if your pH and KH are both less than 7 then you can safely add the coral, if its above you should only add it if your fish preffer hard alkeline water.

 

[jimbooo]

Thanks CFC, i'll test the water tonight. great advice as always

almost forgot thanks jams & vip for your prompt replys

happy fishkeeping B)