advantages of argonite ???

[sps_dude]

hi...just want to know...what are the advantages of using argonite as a dsb ????

[islander]

wooo.....advantages...it is nearest thing to an actual sea bed or live sand...disadvantage...hmmm...saw a packet of 8kg caribsea aragonite sand from S@*L^f#.....woooo...can buy a one giant squamosa....

if i set up a nano,maybe i'll buy...jus a thought...no offence...

[Achilles Tang]

There is actually not that much difference to a reef tank.

Aragonite is just a 'higher' grade of calcium carbonate/calcite.

They are supposed to help buffer PH just slightly better than other forms of substrate (we are talking TINY differences)... due to the better dissolution of this sediment... thus allowing for increased buffering capacity and calcium release into the tank. That, however, means you have to replace your aragonite substrate faster... its gonna be extremely costly!

Sand grade size is more important than sand type. Even silica sand will work in a reef tank.

[Tanzy]

Aragonite is a form of calcium carbonate crystal, as is calcite. Just like graphite and diamond is to carbon.

Aragonite will not dissolve to a significant extent to buffer the water at saltwater pH.

Crushed coral is aragonite. Coral sand is aragonite. Coral skeleton is aragonite. Limestone is calcite.