Aragonite: Where?
- Thread starter Rainer Feyer
- Start date
Well- I only spoke from my own experience as well. and Dave's experience is different than mine. Hell I am probably still ridiculed on some boards for using arm and hammer baking soda as a source of buffer for my tank. Thinking of the chemistry of silica based sand, it at the time didn't seem like it would hurt. How many different blends of this stuff- Who knows- and I suspect that is the biggest variable.
I do recall reading of others who have used it exclusively for 8+ years as it was all they could find.
The tank I had with "normal sand was run for 3 years". I took efforts to ensure proper seeding with animals,
Never saw "cementation". My current tank probably has about 50% of each- as I couldn't find the southdown. I tried some of the stuff from Walmart (which was one of the "new" brands in some places for southdown- it did fizzy with vinegar, but clearly had some silica sand in it and is not the same as southdown. Shannon gave me a bunch of her old sand, so I mixed that in.
Buffering capacity- you are absolutely correct about- you get zip. But that's also why it won't turn to cement on it's own. That usually requires carbonates along with proper pH along with no aggitatation??? Silica is darn near inert stuff in that regard. and why would I want to vaccum it? I won't go into possible counter points on all Dave said- some merit to some of it, but.....the point of the grains hurting sand animals I'm sure has some validity to some animals. The irratation to corals? can't say really as I never noticed a difference. There were plenty of worms that did just fine in the silica sand. If I could find some reasonably priced sand, sure I would not use normal sand.
I've done it with 150lbs and when the day comes that my only alternative is to buy $25/30# of the same stuff as southdown, I'm sure I'll do a 50/50 mix minimally- or catch people breaking down there tanks (which can be worse using a lot of old sand).
But I guess I can always call on you Dave for some Free sand?
I do recall reading of others who have used it exclusively for 8+ years as it was all they could find.
The tank I had with "normal sand was run for 3 years". I took efforts to ensure proper seeding with animals,
Never saw "cementation". My current tank probably has about 50% of each- as I couldn't find the southdown. I tried some of the stuff from Walmart (which was one of the "new" brands in some places for southdown- it did fizzy with vinegar, but clearly had some silica sand in it and is not the same as southdown. Shannon gave me a bunch of her old sand, so I mixed that in.
Buffering capacity- you are absolutely correct about- you get zip. But that's also why it won't turn to cement on it's own. That usually requires carbonates along with proper pH along with no aggitatation??? Silica is darn near inert stuff in that regard. and why would I want to vaccum it? I won't go into possible counter points on all Dave said- some merit to some of it, but.....the point of the grains hurting sand animals I'm sure has some validity to some animals. The irratation to corals? can't say really as I never noticed a difference. There were plenty of worms that did just fine in the silica sand. If I could find some reasonably priced sand, sure I would not use normal sand.
I've done it with 150lbs and when the day comes that my only alternative is to buy $25/30# of the same stuff as southdown, I'm sure I'll do a 50/50 mix minimally- or catch people breaking down there tanks (which can be worse using a lot of old sand).
But I guess I can always call on you Dave for some Free sand?
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michaelm2431
New member
HD has the southdown under another name now. Kolor Scape. From NEW CASTLE. Been tested on NJ forums.
Rainer Feyer
Premium Member
Hey Michaelm
I'd be willing to drive to NJ ( got friends there ) for some real aragonite sand - how is it being tested? If vinegar, could you make sure they don't just look for fizzing, but actually for total enialation of the sand?
Actually, I place it under the microscope and if it is rounded, it should be aragonite.
Please keep us informed, I am VERY interested in a large amount
I'd be willing to drive to NJ ( got friends there ) for some real aragonite sand - how is it being tested? If vinegar, could you make sure they don't just look for fizzing, but actually for total enialation of the sand?
Actually, I place it under the microscope and if it is rounded, it should be aragonite.
Please keep us informed, I am VERY interested in a large amount
michaelm2431
New member
I just set up my 125 with 200lbs of it. I can take some out of my tank and test it, but don't have a microscope. Is there another way? Mike
michaelm2431
New member
I can give you the pcu off HD reciept to call them. Play Sand # 742786901736 @ 3.99
jaze36
New member
Michalelg and Dave thanks for the good explinations. I guess this is another DSB/bare bottom type discussion, it depends on personal experience. I guess we could say it has been done sucessfully but there can be a few disclaimers attached depending on individulal sand brand used? I guess one of the most interesting and frustrating part of this hobby are so many open ended answers to problems, and why so many people useing forums.
We couldn't take the whole BB thing.... Ended up adding 60 lbs of http://www.petsolutions.com/CaribSea+Fiji+Pink+Aragalive+Sand-I-18400792-I-C-10352-C-.aspx
and 15 lbs of http://www.petsolutions.com/Seaflor+Aragonite+Reef+Sand-I-18410020-I-C-10352-C-.aspx
I like it much better now
I will defin need a cleanup crew and some sand sifters.
and 15 lbs of http://www.petsolutions.com/Seaflor+Aragonite+Reef+Sand-I-18410020-I-C-10352-C-.aspx
I like it much better now
I will defin need a cleanup crew and some sand sifters.
Good to hear i did something right.. lol
I have a good 1 1/2" covering.
I have a good 1 1/2" covering.
Rainer Feyer
Premium Member
Intersting to note that the prices on Aragonite sand by MarineDepot ( and probably others? ) have decreased drastically, almost affordable! Something like 70c / pound if I remember right?
xian
Premium Member
Where do you get the oolithic?<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7352749#post7352749 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dave ESPI
Lakeside, that is some of the best substrate money can buy
I use it in my tanks with a bunch of reef rubble ( junk from the bottom of the tranship boxes) intermixed , and just a few handfulls of the oolitic. It works flawlessly.
michaelm2431
New member
TA. The link is on NJRC members forum. I don't know how to do the link thing, or if I even can, but the conversation kept going back to DR. Ron. If you can search this under his topics, you'de find it more helpfull.
