Mr. F Posted March 14, 2016 Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 So a few weeks ago I noticed in addition to an empty 2.5g, I had a small filter with a sponge intake, a small air pump, a 10w heater, and a small led. So I found some left over black substrate and a white rock with a bunch of holes in it and set up the tank, because why not? Lol. It's been running a while with some plants and ramshorns breeding like crazy. Before I did a water change yesterday I checked the params: pH 7.9 TDS 270 GH 8 KH 11?! I have no idea how this happened and it seems strange since I started and WC with lab grade DI water (<5 ppm), carefully remineralized as needed. The only thing I can think of is that white rock may be limestone or something like it, causing my alkalinity to go through the roof. Has anyone used/bought/had experience with a stone like this before and know what it is? Thanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corbie Posted March 14, 2016 Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 Yeah, it looks similar to the honeycomb limestone we have around here. Mr. F 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jynn Posted March 14, 2016 Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 Texas holy rock. Yes it raises it, thats why its so popular in african cichlid tanks. Mr. F 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. F Posted March 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 Ahah! That's it! Thanks Jynn! The Google machine says Texas holey rock is made of limestone, so it'll buffer to a pH of 7.4-8.2 and raise TDS and KH. So I guess my next question is, has anyone kept neos in a tank with this stuff? Is it a hassle? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corbie Posted March 14, 2016 Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 From what I've heard, neos are fine with a high pH as long as they're properly acclimated. Shrimp raised in a particular pH will also do better than if you introduced it to them as adults, so you may have some lag time. I'm actually in the middle of scrubbing some holey rock/honeycomb limestone now to set up a Sulawesi tank. I may experiment by throwing in a few neo culls once it's cycled. :3 Soothing Shrimp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. F Posted March 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 Yeah, it's not the pH I'm worried about, it's the related rise in KH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. F Posted March 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 I was able to drop the alkalinity to 6 dKH while maintaining a ph of 7.4. I think I will add a few culls tonight to see how they fare... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corbie Posted March 15, 2016 Report Share Posted March 15, 2016 Yeah, it's not the pH I'm worried about, it's the related rise in KH. My bad! I didn't realize alkalinity was another word for carbonate hardness. :V Mr. F 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. F Posted March 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2016 KH stable at 6, here are the brave two getting acclimated. Let's hope they do well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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