{"product_id":"aquarium-co-op-crushed-coral-1-lb","title":"Aquarium Co-Op Crushed Coral 1 lb","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E8F5E9;border-left:4px solid #1B5E20;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSold in-store only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not available for online purchase.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eStock the foundation of a healthy saltwater system or stabilize a freshwater tank that needs higher pH and KH with \u003cstrong\u003eAquarium Co-Op Crushed Coral\u003c\/strong\u003e. This 1-pound bag of food-grade calcium carbonate substrate slowly dissolves to buffer your aquarium against pH crashes, keeping water chemistry rock-steady for fish, inverts, and corals. Use it as a base substrate, a pH-boosting top dressing, or dose it into a media bag for filter-driven buffering. Shop more \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003ewater care \u0026amp; treatments\u003c\/a\u003e and pair it with our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-mixes\"\u003esalt mix selection\u003c\/a\u003e for a full saltwater setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1B5E20;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eWhy Hobbyists Choose Crushed Coral\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStabilizes pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e gradually dissolves to keep pH in the 8.0–8.4 range ideal for reef tanks, African cichlids, and goldfish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBoosts KH (carbonate hardness):\u003c\/strong\u003e prevents pH swings during water changes and CO₂ injection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBeneficial bacteria substrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e porous calcium carbonate provides huge surface area for nitrifying bacteria.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNatural aesthetic:\u003c\/strong\u003e looks like authentic reef rubble, perfect for saltwater biotopes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVersatile:\u003c\/strong\u003e works as a substrate, sump media, canister media, or HOB buffer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1B5E20;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAs substrate (saltwater):\u003c\/strong\u003e rinse thoroughly under freshwater until the runoff is clear, then layer 1–2 inches across the bottom of the tank. Estimate ~1 lb per gallon for a 1-inch bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAs a pH buffer (freshwater):\u003c\/strong\u003e place 1–2 oz per 10 gallons in a mesh media bag inside a HOB, canister, or sump.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor African cichlids \/ goldfish tanks:\u003c\/strong\u003e mix 25–50% crushed coral with regular sand or gravel to lock in alkaline water chemistry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e stir lightly during water changes; replace media bag contents every 6–12 months as the coral dissolves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.92em;color:#555;margin-top:4px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eTip:\u003c\/em\u003e not recommended for South American tetras, discus, or any tank that needs soft, acidic water, crushed coral will push pH and KH higher than those fish prefer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1B5E20;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #A5D6A7;padding:6px 10px;width:38%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #A5D6A7;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAquarium Co-Op\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #A5D6A7;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eComposition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #A5D6A7;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNatural crushed coral (calcium carbonate)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #A5D6A7;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePackage Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #A5D6A7;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1 lb (16 oz) bag\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #A5D6A7;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUse With\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #A5D6A7;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSaltwater reef \u0026amp; FOWLR tanks, African cichlid tanks, goldfish tanks, any tank needing higher pH\/KH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #A5D6A7;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOT Recommended For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #A5D6A7;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSoft-water tanks (discus, South American tetras, wild bettas), planted tanks injecting CO₂\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #A5D6A7;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDosing Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #A5D6A7;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1 lb per gallon for a 1-inch substrate bed; 1–2 oz per 10 gal in a media bag for buffering\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #A5D6A7;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #A5D6A7;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1B5E20;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-mixes\"\u003eSalt mixes\u003c\/a\u003e, for your saltwater setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003eWater testing kits\u003c\/a\u003e, monitor pH, KH, and alkalinity as the coral dissolves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/additives-supplements\"\u003eCalcium \u0026amp; alkalinity supplements\u003c\/a\u003e, top up trace minerals as needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/filter-media-cartridges\"\u003eFilter media\u003c\/a\u003e, drop crushed coral into a media bag for canister or sump use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1B5E20;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill crushed coral raise my freshwater pH?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes, that's the point. It slowly dissolves to push pH into the 7.6–8.4 range, ideal for African cichlids, livebearers, and goldfish. If your fish prefer soft, acidic water, skip the crushed coral.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long before it stops working?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA 1-pound bag in a media bag for a 30–55 gallon tank typically lasts 6–12 months. As pieces dissolve, KH drops back toward your tap water baseline, that's the signal to top it up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need to rinse it before adding to my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nAlways. Rinse thoroughly with freshwater (no soap, no chemicals) until the runoff is clear before placing it in your tank or filter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it in a planted tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nOnly if you're not running CO₂ injection. Crushed coral fights the slight pH drop that CO₂ creates, which works against planted-tank chemistry.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aquarium Co-Op","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48553126559963,"sku":"29144","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/8a441ad1-4bc4-48f8-90d2-5bd643961e83.png?v=1780564120","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquarium-co-op-crushed-coral-1-lb","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}