Sand Substrate ?s

[john73738]

I put sand in my 240. I am having never before problems with my water being very hard, and the PH is thru the roof. I cant keep the PH under 8 for my SAs.

My question is if I use Peat pellets in the filter will that help keep the PH and hardness down? Or should I just remove the sand and replace it with pool filter sand?

Help please the PH is affecting my kiddies.

 

[JK47]

I put sand in my 240. I am having never before problems with my water being very hard, and the PH is thru the roof. I cant keep the PH under 8 for my SAs.

My question is if I use Peat pellets in the filter will that help keep the PH and hardness down? Or should I just remove the sand and replace it with pool filter sand?

Help please the PH is affecting my kiddies.

What kind of sand did you use? If it was argonite or a coral based sand, yes remove it. Don't compensate one problem with another such as adding peat, It won't make a significant change anyway. Fix the root cause of the issue (if your sure the sand is what's buffering up your PH) then replasce it with a PH inert sand like the PFS you mention. GL man.

 

[john73738]

It is quickrete medium grit sand. I cant think of any other reason that could be causing the problem.

OK I will get PFS, time to move them back into their old home and redo the tank.

Bummer, Wife is gonna be mad at me.............

 

[JK47]

It is quickrete medium grit sand. I cant think of any other reason that could be causing the problem.

OK I will get PFS, time to move them back into their old home and redo the tank.

Bummer, Wife is gonna be mad at me.............

I've used this to terst sand in the past and it works well. (others may disagree though) Fill a medium sized cup with tap water untreated. Test the PH. Then fill half the cup with sand leave it for 24 hours then test the same water again. If the perams are even slightly different it no good. Depending on how long the sand has been in there, be prepaired for a mini cycle none the less. Lots of natural surface area being removed all at once.

I have used the quickrete "media" sand (brown bag with green writing) but never have tried the medium grit sand, sorry I can't help more.

 

[john73738]

Thanks,

First I will test my tap water, then I will pull some sand out of the tank and rinse very well, then try your test. Never thought to test my tap water to see what the ph level is.

 

[JK47]

Thanks,

First I will test my tap water, then I will pull some sand out of the tank and rinse very well, then try your test. Never thought to test my tap water to see what the ph level is.

I wold not rinse the sand. Go straight from your tank to the cup of water. You want to replicate what's happening in your tank and the sand is not being rinsed in your tank. For sure test your tap too, while your at it test your tap/source water for ammonia and nitrate as well. My tap has no ammonia but does have nitrate ranging from 5ppm to 15ppm. FYI, depending on your kH reading, the PH can raise or lower after being exposed to air for a day.

 

[john73738]

LFS told me to use the peat granuals for 3-4 months. He said that the sand will eventually leech out and be fine.