tufa rock

[karrihug]

i bought a rock that is for aquariums at the lps. the tag says it is a small tufa but when i started looking at it it is very pourous and feels kinda like limestone, and i am concerned it will mess with my ph or something. anybody know of anything like this?

 

[modernhamlet]

Tufa will very much effect your pH and kH. It is mostly used as a buffer in African Lake Chiclid tanks. It is not suggested for acidic or neutral pH tanks in large quantities.

 

[karrihug]

thank you, my daughter picked it out and i didn't really look at it, but when i did it looked very suspicious. glad i asked.

 

[noelberg]

1 small tufa in a 55 shouldn't be too much of a problem. raising the pH slightly will sometimes benefit livebearers, too