Type of sand

[newtofish]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am using a pulverized limestone in my new 125 as the substrait.
I was talking to some fellow reefers around here in Texas and a few have used this before.
It is manufactured by Pavestone and it cost me $4.09 a 50 pound bag at Home Depot. I will keep everyone informed on how it works out for me.
So far it has been in the tank for two days and my tank has cleared up.
It took two bags to fill my 125 with 2 to 3 inches.

I do like the way it looks and the texture is very similar to southdown.
I know the limestone will not have any of the buffering capibilities that agronite sand will but that is not what I need because I am doing a softy only tank.

[marshalrckman]

Some of the best tanks i have seen are softy tanks,Now il have to set up a new aquarium and see it for myself.Good luck and let us know how it turns out!

[FishinInTheDark]

Somebody jump in here and correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that limestone and aragonite are by and large the same thing. They are both composed (or mostly composed) of calcium carbonate. The only difference you will see are impurities and/or higher metal content in limestone.

Limestone: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limestone

[marshalrckman]

good point,but isnt live rock just ancient coral skeletcons fused together,after they decompose they would secrete lime so there wouldnt be much differance i would think?correct me if im wrong though.

[FishinInTheDark]

That's what I was saying, except that limestone is laced with mineral impurities.

[maxwellwhothunk]

Ok, so this topic reminds me of something...

Ok so a natural process in our fish tanks creates Nitrites, which would include Nitric Acids. Nitric acid is a very strong acid (I happen to have a liter of it not more than 10 feet away from me at this moment) and will readily disolve metals on contact, usually creating a poisonous and cool looking brown gas along with a liquid which is something like Copper Nitrite (assuming copper was the metal dissolved).

So... this is where my q comes into play, if we were to use something with a High metal impurity level could we place that something into a tub of water then add a fair amount of nitric acid to the bucket and wait for the impurites to dissove (over a coupple of days) then rinse and rinse and rinse... Would this get rid of the impurites?

I know that you can then use that something in a tank, I used very pure nitric acid as a DIY liverock curing agent, to bring the pH down to an acceptable and stable level.

Let me know what you think, I am interested to see where this'll go.

[FishinInTheDark]

Good question, Maxwell. I have no idea if this would be effective though. I suspect that it would, as long as you could be sure you could get the acid out later. Let me ask around and see what I can dig up.

[maxwellwhothunk]

Thats the great part, first off the acid will naturally deplete, just like it does when our tanks cycle. When the bacteria builds up slowly the Nitrites (including the Nitric acid) will turn into nitrates, which will then come out with air exchange and water changes. In this case the water changes are crutial, because the fact that the water is now containing all of the impurites. But keep in mind that at this stage you dont need to do SW changes, just freshwater.

[FishinInTheDark]

Okay, I have had some response to my query/research on nitric acid. I will be paraphrasing. Firstly, I will point out what might be obvious to some, but merits mentioning for the good of all. Nitric acid is extremely dangerous. It should not be handled without a respirator, safety goggles, a rubber smock, etc. Contact will lead to severe injury or death. It will burn eyes, skin, mucous membranes, etc. Inhalation can even damage teeth (but your lungs would be toast anyway).

Which brings me to the next issue. Nitric acid oxidizes metals, including the calcium in teeth. Max, did you use aragocrete in your rock? How did the acid react to the calcite? Chances are, if you added it to limestone, it would react like vinegar on caffeine/crack/steriods.

Lastly, the question: Why? Why go to the trouble of dealing with such a dangerous acid when there are so many readily available, suitable substrates? For most, the risk far outweighs the expense. That is, IF it is really necessary. Richard may not have issues with algae or whatnot.

I got to learn something today. Thanks, Richard, for starting this thread; Max for mentioning nitric acid; MikeS and Curtswearing for guiding me in finding answers (or just giving them to me).

[maxwellwhothunk]

Max, did you use aragocrete in your rock? How did the acid react to the calcite? Chances are, if you added it to limestone, it would react like vinegar on caffeine/crack/steriods.

No, in that particular batch I did not, I used a standard concrete mix (I think #3).

And you are right, the thought of reacting with the Limestone didnt even cross my mind.

It is a very Dangerous chemical, however, like most things, with proper training etc., it is relatively safe, I love chemestry, which is why I have it with in reach :)

But you are correct, a good substrate is just right around the corner in most cities, paying a few more dollars to get something tried and true over and over really is priceless. Don't be cheap now, you'll end up spending a LOT more in the long run... I am still paying for my early penny quenching mistakes!

And thank you Conni for being the investigative reporter!