I am here in Alaska and I cannot find anywhere Pavestone Puverized Limestone as HD does not have it anymore and no one else seems to carry it. However everyone has the Oregon Pulverized Dolimite. I have found really old comments about useing it. Is it an acceptable substrate and DSB? All comments welcome. TYIA...
Dolomite Limestone as substrate?
- Thread starter Mr.X-Ray
- Start date
firemancorbin
New member
Limestone will never function as live rock. It is not porous enough and while it will have bacteria on the surface, it will not develope a sufficiently larger enough population on the inside of the rock to act as an effective denitrifier
Tang Salad
Algae skeptic
Hey Mr X-Ray-
I'm not familiar with that particular brand. Can you post a closeup pic so we can see the grain size? If not, maybe you can estimate and tell us the grain size, ie. .5-1mm, 1-2mm, etc.
To test if it's actually calcium carbonate you can drop some into a strong acid. It will fizz if it is. (Diluted HCL...or even vinegar should work IIRC). But if it's dolomite, then it should pass this test.
I'm not familiar with that particular brand. Can you post a closeup pic so we can see the grain size? If not, maybe you can estimate and tell us the grain size, ie. .5-1mm, 1-2mm, etc.
To test if it's actually calcium carbonate you can drop some into a strong acid. It will fizz if it is. (Diluted HCL...or even vinegar should work IIRC). But if it's dolomite, then it should pass this test.
Tang Salad
Algae skeptic
No problem. Sounds small enough then. For a DSB to work best, the grain size is important but I'm sure you know that.
The only other question would be if it has large quantities of silica or other non-limestone grains. Any clear crystally looking pieces mixed in with it? or does it all pretty much seem to be the same stuff?
The only other question would be if it has large quantities of silica or other non-limestone grains. Any clear crystally looking pieces mixed in with it? or does it all pretty much seem to be the same stuff?
reefworm
New member
what you're looking for is sugar sized, smooth grain sand. size affects surface area for bacteria population and that plus sooth surface encourages large populations of benthic life - worms, etc. that are vital to clean up. sharp surfaces hurt them and thus keep the population down. it concerns me that you said you could "feel the grit" which makes it sound harsh. lots of different types of substrates will work for a while, but over time will build up detritus that is more than the system can handle. found that out the hard way, using crushed coral - the system crashed after two years. lost everything. HD used to have the caribbean beach sand [once upon a time marketed as Southdown playsand - that's the good stuff, but I don't think that's available anymore either. I hear your concerns about the cost of shipping stuff in, especially as gas prices continue to rise. not trying to be at all critical, just trying to spare you the $$, frustration and heartache a less than optimal substrate will cost. You might have to bite the bullet and order some the hobbyist stuff, or someone here may have some extra they could send for less or trade. best of luck! 
