Seashells Aren't Working

[LionessN3cubs]

So, because of my KH issues and cycling already driving down PH....I tested tonight at a PH of barely 7.0.

week ago or so give or take, I boiled and added about 7 seashells to the tank. I just laid them in there. When I saw the PH tonight, I pulverized one of the shells and dumped it in dust and all. Tested the PH about 15 minutes later and it did come up a bit...to 7.4-7.6. I think (hope) it will come up more over time?

Guess I should just keep checking on the PH and crushing more shells as need be? Really dont want to buy a fortune for a little bit of crushed coral if I dont have to...I really had the urge to crush up a 2nd shell and dump it in and attempt to get the PH up past 8 but Im afraid of doing too MUCH. Any suggestions other than what Im doing and baking soda?

 

[waterdrop]

My understanding is that access to flow is a significant factor. That's why people with enough room in their HOBs or ECs will put them in mesh bags inside the filter. The water flowing by will dissolve significantly more of the CaCO3 than if they are just sitting in the tank. The slight downside is that they will also of course get more biofilms and debris on them over time, which will diminish their exposure to the water, so they have to be cleaned more often.

I have no idea whether different types of shell and coral have different rates at which they will dissolve out into the water (anyone?) but I could theoretically see it both ways (ie. that different ways the animals lay down the shell material result in harder/softer material, OR, that its all basically the same...)

~~waterdrop~~

 

[LionessN3cubs]

My understanding is that access to flow is a significant factor. That's why people with enough room in their HOBs or ECs will put them in mesh bags inside the filter. The water flowing by will dissolve significantly more of the CaCO3 than if they are just sitting in the tank. The slight downside is that they will also of course get more biofilms and debris on them over time, which will diminish their exposure to the water, so they have to be cleaned more often.

I have no idea whether different types of shell and coral have different rates at which they will dissolve out into the water (anyone?) but I could theoretically see it both ways (ie. that different ways the animals lay down the shell material result in harder/softer material, OR, that its all basically the same...)

~~waterdrop~~

I could MAYBE squeeze a single shell into my penguin filter (man I hate it) but that would be about it LOL. I am still bumming that I had to take the aquaclear back.

 

[waterdrop]

My understanding is that access to flow is a significant factor. That's why people with enough room in their HOBs or ECs will put them in mesh bags inside the filter. The water flowing by will dissolve significantly more of the CaCO3 than if they are just sitting in the tank. The slight downside is that they will also of course get more biofilms and debris on them over time, which will diminish their exposure to the water, so they have to be cleaned more often.

I have no idea whether different types of shell and coral have different rates at which they will dissolve out into the water (anyone?) but I could theoretically see it both ways (ie. that different ways the animals lay down the shell material result in harder/softer material, OR, that its all basically the same...)

~~waterdrop~~

I could MAYBE squeeze a single shell into my penguin filter (man I hate it) but that would be about it LOL. I am still bumming that I had to take the aquaclear back.

Federal bailout funds should distribute "large aquarium setup" money to all families with special needs children. I'm so in awe of any family that can manage to get through it day after day with that kind of challenge Lioness, hats off to you!
-wd-

 

[CKutz]

lioness, how's it going?

i'm curious to see how this works out.

 

[drobbyb]

Lioness you could crush those shells up and hang them in a bag in the output of your filter. With the shells being crushed up, this opens up much more surface area and allows the caco3 (calcium carbonate) to dissolve faster. If you can't get it directly in the flow, that's ok as well. Just put it near the output where the water is flowing by.

 

[loraxchick]

I saw my Ph Rise and hold steady after about a week of adding pulverized clam shells...so how are you doing at this point?

 

[LionessN3cubs]

I saw my Ph Rise and hold steady after about a week of adding pulverized clam shells...so how are you doing at this point?

sorry been MIA for a bit....kid stuff going on.

My PH seems to be holding steady for now. Have added ammonia a total of 4 times including start date of april 30th...PH only dropped the 1 time. I crushed one of the shells up and its been fine since at a strong 7.6

 

[drobbyb]

Glad to hear that it's holding steady. Finally!