Coral Skeletons and PH

[Angelscrx]

I have been hearing that coral skeletons can keep your PH at an even level without having additives, is this true? How would they impact alkalinity? I have seen them in freshwater tanks for stuff like discus and other fish that like high ph levels. What are your thoughts?

Thanks

 

[wrightme43]

This is just my opinion, I believe if the ph got acidic enough to dissolve the coral skeleton, it would be to late for your fish. My understanding is that in a deep sand bed the aragonite will dissolve because of the acids produced by bactierial metabolisim, I have heard that it will keep ph and buffer at a more constant level, though I think Kalk or 2 part is the way to go. I guess if you left them in there for years and years they would dissolve, but then again live rock is coral skeletons and if it dissolved we would all be pretty upset. I hope that helps you. Steve

 

[Angelscrx]

Thanks for the posts. I was wondering the effects because I have seen dead corals used in refugiums along with live rock.

 

[Witfull]

in an acidic environment, corals (skeletons,crushed) will leach off alkali and calcium and other trace elements. agronite will also. in a fresh water tank this can be deadly. for fresh water rift lake cichlids and saltwater tanks, it helps when used as a substrate due to lowered pH in the lower levels of the bed to to decomposing organics. calcium reactors also use this principle to desolve coral by the use of CO2 to lower pH and release the calcium.

dead corals become live just by being in saltwater, plus rubble and skeletons make great homes for pods in a fuge.

 

[Angelscrx]

dead corals become live just by being in saltwater, plus rubble and skeletons make great homes for pods in a fuge.

Do you mean by coralline algae and other stuff growing on it? I knew about the great home for pods. Thanks

 

[Witfull]

it becomes live by growing bacteria, aerobic and anerobic within its core.

 

[Angelscrx]

Oh that's a good deal. So do you think it is a good idea to have them in the fuge?

 

[Witfull]

it doesnt hurt, but it also depends onthe primary porpose of your fuge. if you want it as a pod farm then loads of rubble with nooks and crannies is great. if your ant your fuge as a macro farm for nutrient expot then limit the amout of rock to allow space for the algeas to grow.

or you could split the difference and have a layer of rubble a few inches deep and then macros above.

 

[Angelscrx]

Hey thanks I plan on expanding the fuge and your advice is both timely and helpful.