Can you do a dirted tank with out lowering ph?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

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Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jun 13, 2023
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I have two 15 gallon fluval flexes. I want to set up for cherry shrimp. My idea was small piece of drift wood covered in moss. Java fern and some root feeders in the back. My ph is 7.4 and I don't want it to drop. Iv never done root feeders before. Can I use an inch of soil capped with sand in the back of my tank with out it affecting my PH. I don't want my ph to change at all.

Thank you to any one that has information and/or experience with this
 
If you're doing root tabs and dirt for java fern... Don't. You're supposed to glue or tie it to a rock or piece of wood like anubias.
 
The dirt was for some ludwigia super red and some carpeting plants
 
That's what I meant by root feeders. Not root tabs but root feeding plants. I should have explained it better. I just would like to know from any one that has set up a dirted tank with organic potting soil and capped it. Did it lower your ph
 
I would expect a natural tank with some “soil”, plants and wood to act as any tank with fish/organics and to drop in ph over time to varying degrees. Of course you can counter that with some crushed coral (eg. in bag in a filter) or other decor if you don’t want it dropping below 7.
 
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