corydora barbel loss, seemingly random

[Lexi B]

 

• pH 8.0
• Nitrates 0
• Hardness 8
• Nitrite 0
• Ammonia 0
• KH/Buffer 6
• Water Temperature 78

for some reason my corydoras seem to lose their barbels infrequently among their population. I have some with long, healthy barbels, and others with none. I'm not sure why that discrepancy is. I have begun to suspect the high ph is the source. My tank uses a mix of soft sand and some crushed coral, (about 1.25 pound for the 20l) to counteract the slightly acidic and soft tap water. But it seems that might be out of hand. The tank receives a 25% water change weekly, along with thorough substrate vacuuming.

I'm worried about the health of my cories. I don't want to lose any due to the injuries, and i'm not sure how to correct the issue. Has anyone else had this problem? 

[Colu]

Did you put the crushed coral on the bottom of the tank and cap it with a deeper layer of sand

[Lexi B]

On 10/20/2021 at 3:03 PM, Colu said:

Did you put the crushed coral on the bottom of the tank and cap it with a deeper layer of sand

It's in the surface layer of the sand. I was advised by one of the co op employees that it wouldn't actually affect them if the water quality was good?

[Colu]

On 10/20/2021 at 11:07 PM, Lexi B said:

It's in the surface layer of the sand. I was advised by one of the co op employees that it wouldn't actually affect them if the water quality was good?

I have always put crushed coral in my filter it's a possibility that it could be damaging there  barbels maybe some one who use crushed coral in there substrate can chip