Coral Sand?

[rodg98133]

I am rescaping my tank and wondered whether i can use coral sand as my substrate. I have read a few different things about it some saying its ok some saying not. My tap water has a ph of 8.0 will the sand raise this?

 

[PRW1988]

The sand generally raises the Ph of the water, aswell as the hardness. I'd reccomend uping childs play sand, or construction sand if you want to use sand at all, as this won't increase the Ph.

 

[rodg98133]

Is play sand darker than coral sand? I want a marine look tropical tank.

 

[backtotropical]

Hi,

The answer to your question 100% depends what fish are you planning to keep in the tank?

Coral sand would be a good choice for fish which prefer hard alkaline water, but a bad choice for fish which prefer soft acidic water.

Cheers

BTT

 

[PRW1988]

I'm pretty sure that the tank in question is the one in his sig.

 

[rodg98133]

I'm pretty sure that the tank in question is the one in his sig.

This is correct.

 

[backtotropical]

Maybe i should read before i post?

 

[8inary]

Is play sand darker than coral sand? I want a marine look tropical tank.

I have done something similar, I upgraded to a large tank and went with a marine look. I use coral sand (80kgs in this tank) and yes it raised the PH to around 8.2. The fish however seemed to get use to it and appear very well now. I think it hits the fish more when it is a sudden change in PH unless it is something major.

To assist in your marine tropical tank, may I suggest TMC rock. This looks like marine rock - Fuji - and is hand painted to have the same colouring. I enclose a link to a vid of my tank

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcC6bF_L0T4

 

[PRW1988]

If it's painted rock, then wouldn't it not be safe to use in the aquarium?? Aswell, if the tank that you were speaking of is the one in your sig, then it's no wonder the fish came around pretty quickly as most are Cichlids.

The fish in his signature, with the exception of the pleco (which can tolerate most Phs), should have water with a Ph around 7.5 Maximum, this is because it more so mimics their natural enviroment's Ph.

Aswell, (this is direct to rodg), sorry, missed the other question about playsand being lighter than marine sand. It's not lighter, but darker, depending on the brand you use. Most petshops sell a white colored sand that looks similar to marine sand. So that may be what you want.

 

[8inary]

If it's painted rock, then wouldn't it not be safe to use in the aquarium??

The TMC rock which is hand painted is aquatic safe, it is not something whereby I have painted them mayself with paint from B&Q lol. These are quite
expensive peices and is not natural rock, it is synthetic.

In regard PH levels, whilst you should maintain the normal environment of the fish, they can get used to -/+ degress of PH such as with mine. From experience there are scaling levels, but what is more harmful is a sudden change in PH.

 

[PRW1988]

which will happen if he adds the sand for his fish. Within 2 days it'll raise the Ph.

 

[8inary]

Having had sand in another tank and then coral sand in my main tank, I would say the normal sand looks more duller, whereas the coral sand looks better, has a little more to it and reflects light very well

 

[8inary]

which will happen if he adds the sand for his fish. Within 2 days it'll raise the Ph.

I think after what has been said, we all agree sand/coral sand will raise PH.
All I am saying is that I have done this, and yes my PH went up beyond 8 however the fish are all fine. As previously mentioned
fish can take a shift in PH whether it is -/+

 

[CFC]

Is play sand darker than coral sand? I want a marine look tropical tank.

I have done something similar, I upgraded to a large tank and went with a marine look. I use coral sand (80kgs in this tank) and yes it raised the PH to around 8.2. The fish however seemed to get use to it and appear very well now. I think it hits the fish more when it is a sudden change in PH unless it is something major.

To assist in your marine tropical tank, may I suggest TMC rock. This looks like marine rock - Fuji - and is hand painted to have the same colouring. I enclose a link to a vid of my tank

[URL="http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcC6bF_L0T4"]http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcC6bF_L0T4[/URL]

That's certainly an "interesting" choice of fish to have in one tank

Anyway fish that come from soft water habitats can adjust to water with a higher pH and hardness but it puts a lot of strain on them and will often lead to early death and low immunity to disease as their bodies have to work harder to osmoregulate properly and maintain the right balance of minerals for their species.