Substrates (< , > , =) PH

AMFishHead

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 7, 2016
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Cairo, Egypt
Over the -not so many- years i used different kinds of substrates (crashed corals, river stones, sand-i wasn't ready for this one- and other stuff) now i have a 3~5mm natural gravel and I'd like to know the effect of each type of substrate on the PH and what i do if i want to lower my PH while using natural gravel.
 

joe jaskot

Dovii
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Sep 16, 2011
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It would all depend upon what type of rock the gravel was made from. In most cases gravel usually has little effect on pH. Sometimes it does elevate the pH. Rarely will it lower pH.
 
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Lepisosteus

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
May 20, 2014
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Ontario, Canada
any carbonate based rock will raise the pH. Any quartz siliceous rock should be slightly acidic. In general though a common gravel will be made up of silica, feldspar, carbonate and a wide variety of minerals that often counter balance to maintain a stable pH. It all depends on what the mineral content is. Post a pic and I can identify the minerals and the most likely effect. Quartz grains are highly insoluble and have little to no pH effects
 
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AMFishHead

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 7, 2016
10
4
3
33
Cairo, Egypt
any carbonate based rock will raise the pH. Any quartz siliceous rock should be slightly acidic. In general though a common gravel will be made up of silica, feldspar, carbonate and a wide variety of minerals that often counter balance to maintain a stable pH. It all depends on what the mineral content is. Post a pic and I can identify the minerals and the most likely effect. Quartz grains are highly insoluble and have little to no pH effects
That's my latest gravel 20160323_145830.jpgSorry for the poor quality
 

duanes

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Most normal aquarium gravel is inert, and will not effect pH.
Looks don't count, just looking at your gravel tells us nothing.
As stated, it is the content of the rock mined that counts.
Lime stone, dolomite, and crushed coral, etc will raise pH, or hold pH steady.
Granite and other inert stone will not.
 
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Lepisosteus

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
May 20, 2014
3,732
3,387
164
Ontario, Canada
Most normal aquarium gravel is inert, and will not effect pH.
Looks don't count, just looking at your gravel tells us nothing.
As stated, it is the content of the rock mined that counts.
Lime stone, dolomite, and crushed coral, etc will raise pH, or hold pH steady.
Granite and other inert stone will not.
you can determine what the rock was from the mineral content
 
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