Artificial Coral Reef

[D1s]

Afternoon all hope all is well. I was wondering if anyone new of a good place to get artificial coral reef from. From the stone to the coral it's self. I've found a place that does the coral but not the stone for it to go on. Many thanks

 

[Aquascaper]

Search for 'reef bones' either at your LFS or online, it's Live Rock that has died off so basically real coral reef.

Be aware it will increase the pH in your tank to around 7.5 - 8.0 on its own.

Either that or make your own with cement, etc.

 

[D1s]

Ok thank you. I think my ph is around 7.5 already so worth a look

 

[Aquascaper]

Can't remember what my signature pic is (I'm using my phone) but if it's a juwel trigon filled with cream rock then that's what reef bones look like

 

[D1s]

Ok cool will look when I get home( on my phone aswell). Is it a common thing to do, put artificial reef in a tropical tank? I've had some strange looks from people who I've told.

 

[Aquascaper]

Not too common as it's creating an 'alien' biotope, ie. putting fish in an unnatural habitat but people do it with Cichlids and other high pH loving fish as it acts as a natural pH buffer.

 

[fluttermoth]

Reef bones and the like can also be hazardous to freshwater fish as they haven't evolved to know not to scrape themselves on it, as it tends to be quite rough.

 

[D1s]

I've done some searching today and found some great ceramic reef rocks and artificial coral, looks really good. Could be an idea mixing reef Bone and ceramic together. I currently have slate and lava rock in my tank are these near to the texture as reef bone?

 

[Aquascaper]

Reef bones and the like can also be hazardous to freshwater fish as they haven't evolved to know not to scrape themselves on it, as it tends to be quite rough.

Whereas they have 'evolved' to not scrape themselves on sharp slate edges, coarse lava rock, rough granite, pointy ornaments and the multitude of other rough/sharp/pointed decor aquarists use???

The only 'hazard' is that it alters the pH by leaching calcium