Hardscape

[powerdyne6]

I was a bit skeptical of Seiryu Stone and what it could do to the water in the tank but after conducting a “home test” (probably not 100% accurate though) I went ahead with it.

The PH of my tap water is 7 with a GH and KH of 1 degree

After 2 weeks of 5lbs of Seiryu stone in 2.5 gallons of water the PH rose to about 7.4 and GH/KH was 2 to 3 degrees. This was with no water changes.

Most of the rise in water parameters was the first 4 to 6 days and then it levelled off completely.

I ended up going with about 15 pounds in my 75 gallon and I couldn’t be happier with the results plus my water parameters have stayed steady.

This worked for me but I don’t know what your tap water parameters are and things could be different

 

[Wills]

Yes this guy is so cool and laid back. I also watched the you tube workshop and guided tour of Horizon by Marc Young... maybe spelt wrong, but the Dutch guy who does all the cube aqauscapes. I am just going back and forth in my head what I want. I have a couple of very clear images but the details are not there. Maybe they shouldn't be? There is certainly a space for spontaneity. But that can easily spill into chaos. I'm in no rush, just having my floor reinforced at the moment. lol. Another channel I enjoy is "Green Aqua". https://www.youtube.com/@GreenAquaShop

Yeah I love all the aquascaping channels

I used to plan everything out for weeks/months at a time to build the hardscape but now I've learned that it never goes as perfectly as we try to plan it! I've just done my big tank properly for the first time today and I had the vaguest of plans of where things would go. Laid it out on the table near the tank but by the time it went into the tank it was like 50% and by the time you add smaller rocks and sand, its its own thing. Turned out really well this time too... which isnt always guaranteed!

 

[Oddball59]

I was a bit skeptical of Seiryu Stone and what it could do to the water in the tank but after conducting a “home test” (probably not 100% accurate though) I went ahead with it.

The PH of my tap water is 7 with a GH and KH of 1 degree

After 2 weeks of 5lbs of Seiryu stone in 2.5 gallons of water the PH rose to about 7.4 and GH/KH was 2 to 3 degrees. This was with no water changes.

Most of the rise in water parameters was the first 4 to 6 days and then it levelled off completely.

I ended up going with about 15 pounds in my 75 gallon and I couldn’t be happier with the results plus my water parameters have stayed steady.

This worked for me but I don’t know what your tap water parameters are and things could be different

KiaOra, thanks for the reply. Seiryu Stone is on my list but I am hesitant because our water is already very hard. But I'm also looking at lava stone or Dragon stone paired with Dragon wood. Both very safe and I really like the look of the Dragon stone as long as it's aligned properly. It's difficult to decide, but thats part of the fun. I like a little tannin in the water too. So plant leaves (Catapa etc..) Knowing what to go for is hard, I considered a riverscape from Africa and the Congo, but I think some people get it wrong, when its the rainy season the rocks are rolled all over like a stone polisher and so round stones should be used, and the wood.... well just detritus really. But to do that properly I'd need a strong water flow and fish that can thrive in it and not wind up stuck against the far side of the aquarium lol. But I've seen if you get a high enough flow the substrate will arrange itself which is cool and natural sounding. But then do I want all those wires and strong pumps hanging in my creation? Soooo I'm not rushing. In the past I've done mostly community type tanks with rudimentary aquascaping, but now I'm wanting to delve deeper. Fortunately I'm an obsessive... a by product of PTSD, which in the right circumstances can be a good thing. Also unfortunately I'm an obsessive.... which leads me down rabbit holes for weeks. lol. Thank you so much for your reply. Kia Kaha. Phil.

 

[powerdyne6]

Curious what your PH level is out of your tap.

I am under the assumption that the stone will dissolve quicker in acidic water and the PH/GH/KH will have a more drastic change. Once the PH raises to a more Alkaline level or if your tap water PH is already that high the stone won’t have much of a change on your water parameters. With a higher PH/GH/KH the stone won’t dissolve as quick.

If this is wrong please correct me as this is what I have gotten out of the info I have been reading about.

 

[Oddball59]

Kia Ora. Hi. Our PH is 7.2 at the tap. The water is very hard..139 mg/l calcium. But thats all quickly treatable, I would expect it would be in good parameters before there is any deterioration of the rock or make the water worse than it already is (which is not good is it..) Looking at your research then I'm good to go. Thank you for your reply. Much appreciated and the question of stone dissolving wasn't something I'd considered so many thanks. I'll dig deeper but I think with the right treatment all should be well.

 

[Wills]

If you like Seriyu stone but don’t want the water buffer check out Frodo stone similar stuff but won’t harden your water - plus it’s what all the cool kids use

 

[Oddball59]

If you like Seriyu stone but don’t want the water buffer check out Frodo stone similar stuff but won’t harden your water - plus it’s what all the cool kids use

Kia Ora, Thanks Wills, I'll have a look. I'm going to Horizon in two weeks so maybe they'll have some. I think I'll have to get my card reinforced with titanium. I'm looking at a CO2 Art manifold kit too. So two weeks to decide which way I want to go. I don't want to go and wing it. Thats not my obsessive natures way of functioning. Are there any local groups doing swap meets or anything like that? All the best Wills... Kia Kaha. Phil.