Sand Substrate Raising PH and Hardness

[svtcanuk]

I have a 20 gallon tank set up to hopefully breed some A. Panduro. My problem is that the sand I used for the substrate very gradually raises the PH and hardness. Will the calcium carbonate or whatever is in the sand causing this eventually exhaust itself or better yet is there a way to neutralize it by treating the sand with an acid?

 

[Rod]

If you treat calcium carbonate with acid.....it will dissolve....no sand

You have 2 options....:biggrin:

Change the substrate to something that is neutral

or

Keep shelldwellers....they like hard alkaline water

 

[Hassles]

Sands Ain't Sands

Do a little research on sand amd you'll come to realise thet there exists a few different types of sand, some will not effect your water while others will. Get yourself something that will not and enjoy your Apistos ;-)

take care

 

[Apistomaster]

Try sand blasting white quartzite sand. It is chemically inert and well suited to Apistogramma spp needs. It is also very cheap.

I also use a thin layer of FloraBase in most of my tanks and it does not seem to alter water chemistry but it is a little coarse grained and soft material. I have had no trouble breeding Apistogramma using it.

You can determine whether your sand contains any cacalreous materials by adding a few drops of Muriatic Acid(diluted Hydrochloric Acid) on a small sample of dried sand. If it fizzes it will also raise hardness and pH. You may also try vinegar and get the same reaction if the material is highly calcareous.