pH safe concrete or cement?

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burbon44s

Candiru
MFK Member
May 13, 2012
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milwaukee
Is there a fish safe concrete or cement that won't change pH?

I wanted to make a 3D background out of cast rock and need to know if it's safe.

Any opinions?
Or suggestions

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I've been thinking about doing a DIY background too but was unsure of it because of the ph change. Also came across hypertufa, which is made with Portland cement, sphagnum moss, and perlite. I hear it's pretty light and easy to work with and used in vivariums but not much info in aquariums. Hopefully someone with experience with it can help. :popcorn:
 
I dont know if any concrete is pH stable for a tank, thats why a lot of backgrounds are soaked or sealed before put into a tank. Looking to do one myself down the road so I'm interested if anybody has anything to add. Ive seen a few threads before but I dont recall anybody mentioning one that wont change pH, at least initially
 
I'm going to get a sample and c what happens. I think if I put some in a bucket with tank water and an air stone, then just check pH after a couple days. That should give me some ideas if it'll work

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What I have seen people do is soak the background so its totally submerged, then do water changes on it every couple days while testing pH. Once it stabilizes you should be good to go
 
I test concrete at work often..I suspect the increase in pH has to do with the chemical reaction during concrete curing.. Most concrete is cured 75% by 7 days and 99% by 28 days and then never completely stops..add mixtures can change that timeline but that is standard for concrete that is just Portland cement + water + sand/stone. I think I'm going to test that by using a spare piece of aged concrete and a fresh one, rinsing them and then soaking them and checking the pH in each container.. Might be a while but I will post back here if/when I get around to it.

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Nope..after some research... Internal pH of concrete usually remains pretty high regardless of curing time..the pH of the surface after curing will lower over time due to a reaction with co2.. Maybe this could be sped up by exposing it to lots of co2.


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lambogriffin said:
Nope..after some research... Internal pH of concrete usually remains pretty high regardless of curing time..the pH of the surface after curing will lower over time due to a reaction with co2.. Maybe this could be sped up by exposing it to lots of co2.


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Click to expand...

Do u think this is the same with cast rock?

My sump is also a planted tank w Co2.
U think the Co2 would lower the pH of the rock?

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Possibly if the cast rock is made using Portland cement... Make sure the pH is stable and acceptable before adding it to an actual tank tho like someone else mentioned..

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