Current low tech planted tank PH sits at 6.8 and rest 0. Fish: Dwarf Rainbows, various loaches, Denison Barbs, Synodontis Multipunctatus Catfish. 125 is my step to get to my 210 and set up later this year.
I am in process of set up a 125 gallon fresh water tank with R/O DI water which tested PH 7.0, Ammonia/Nitrate/Nitrite all 0. I purchased Pure Water Pebbles - Color River Jack and washed a ton but still water was cloudy a tiny bit. Even took it out to wash again for 2 hours today. No fish in tank yet as was cycling for 4 wks.
I kept testing in tank and decided to take all gravel out again and test after washing it. I took R/O DI water from my holding tank and put the gravel in it and was 7.0 at first but within 30 mins shot up to PH HIGH of 7.4. I did a ton of test with letting gravel sit and every time shot up high. This gravel says will not alter water chemistry BUT in fact it does!
I called Natures Ocean who manufacture it and talked to two very nice people who after discussing substate and hearing they have never heard of this, I became less convinced. I asked about other substrate that say safe for fresh water and will not alter water and they said NO and would ONLY recommend two. The cumberland river which is very shinning and coated and the plant substrate Floracore black.
Anyone else have this issue with Pure Water Pebbles substrate altering PH?
I am in process of set up a 125 gallon fresh water tank with R/O DI water which tested PH 7.0, Ammonia/Nitrate/Nitrite all 0. I purchased Pure Water Pebbles - Color River Jack and washed a ton but still water was cloudy a tiny bit. Even took it out to wash again for 2 hours today. No fish in tank yet as was cycling for 4 wks.
I kept testing in tank and decided to take all gravel out again and test after washing it. I took R/O DI water from my holding tank and put the gravel in it and was 7.0 at first but within 30 mins shot up to PH HIGH of 7.4. I did a ton of test with letting gravel sit and every time shot up high. This gravel says will not alter water chemistry BUT in fact it does!
I called Natures Ocean who manufacture it and talked to two very nice people who after discussing substate and hearing they have never heard of this, I became less convinced. I asked about other substrate that say safe for fresh water and will not alter water and they said NO and would ONLY recommend two. The cumberland river which is very shinning and coated and the plant substrate Floracore black.
Anyone else have this issue with Pure Water Pebbles substrate altering PH?
. It's possible that the RO/DI being slightly acidic is leaching mineral content from the gravel.