Starting Cycling, pH at 5 Buffer?

[Rebecca Brito]

Hey All,

This is my first post. I am starting two systems, one at my community college greenhouse and one at home. I set-up the tank, just with elodea two weeks ago, the pH was 5. I just added the grow bed today, tested the pH, and it is still at 5. Are oyster shells the best buffer? I will be adding cocoa core to the grow bed, should I wait to amend to see what the water pH is after that?

Thanks

Rebecca

[RupertofOZ]

Adding shells can be a problem.... unless you can remove a quantity of them if required to adjust the pH....

 

Much easier to just add shell grit.. either to a sock under a water return... or sprinkled through the grow bed....

 

Being smaller and more readily dissolved... and self regulating... it's the best method....

 

Coco Coir is acidic by nature.... and retains moisture... excessively in all but the hottest of climates.... and can cause problems with root rot....

 

Your best pH.... especially with fish added... is between 6.2 - 6.8...

 

Why is you pH 5.... is that the value of your source water... or did you adjust it??

[Rebecca Brito]

I have the shells as a supplement for my chickens' diet, so some of it is close to powder, although I was planning on putting it in an old sock anyways.

Both are indoors, one in the school greenhouse, one in my home. I have a significant layer of gravel under the coir for drainage/wicking.

The water is tap water, I used de-chlorinator on it almost a month ago. I will check to see if the tap water pH is at 5.