onlyme Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 What are generally comsidered inert substrates ? Is river and beech sand inert? What about quartz? Craig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeW Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 Hi Craig - Most (95%) "gravels" are inert. As is washed river sand. Beach sand is alkaline - due to shell pieces. Obviously shell grit/coral are no good either. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbeer Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 I had a black gravel that drove the tank pH up. Really annoying as I was trying out a dark gravel planted tank with dwarf cichlids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyme Posted April 12, 2004 Author Share Posted April 12, 2004 Yes, it can be tricky. I usually put some gravel and tap water in glass. I measure pH before and after. Tap water being 7.4ish you will ofter get no difference. If you use water at 6.0 with the same gravel it may then take it back over 7. I am starting to think sand is the answer. I guess trial and error? Craig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anchar Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 Hi Craig, Quartz is, for all intent and purpose, considered to be inert in water. Most "sands" and "gravels" are comprised mainly of quartz (quartz being a silicate = SiO2). Sometimes there are inclusions or impurities in the chosen substrate which may drive the pH up (eg. carbonates in shells and coral) or possibly add heavy metals (eg. iron or magnesium in some river gravels). HTH. merjo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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