Can I use this?

[firefly]

Hi all,

I have some leftover gravel called Lapis Lustre (see website below) from my FW planted tank.
I am about to setup a 75 gallon FO/FOWLR aquarium. Can I use this as substrate?

Any helpful information or advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
:)

3rd product down in the list below
http://www.anythinksolutions.com/shopbyprodlist.php

[steve1s]

First thing to do is test to see if it's a calcium based argonite sand. Take a little of the Lapis Lustre, place it in a bowl and add a few tspn of vinegar. If it fizz's it will help in buffering the water. If not, then is would be silca based most likely. Either is fine but an argonite based product will make running the tank much easier on the water chem's stability.

The only other thing you should consider is the grain size of the product. The larger it is, the more likely it will trap detritus and cause issues with water quality. Large sized substrates are also very hard for crab and snails (if used) to clean the substrate as detritus will fall though to the bottom and instead of being consumed will sit and rot. Sugar sized oolitic sand will be your best bet in a SW aquarium wether that be FO, FOWLR or reef. It will also be much more eye appealing :wink:

Cheers
Steve

[firefly]

Hi Steve,

Below is a closeup pic of it. I would say they are slightly larger than sugar. Just did the vinegar test and it didn't fizz. I am thinking of buying about, say 20-25 lbs of similarly-sized (or should I get smaller ones?) crushed coral and mix into it. Will that be enough to help with the buffering?

Thanks.
:)

http://www.wah.per.sg/DSC03353.JPG

[steve1s]

If you are asking for my personal opinion, I would not get this kind of substrate at all. It will not be very advantagous. Oolitic sugar sand is your best option, Trust me on this, I had CC in my tank for several years and after swapping to sand I was much happier with the appearance and reduced maintenance.

If you are looking for something less "white" in appearance, you could also look into >>black sand (http://www.jlaquatics.com/cgi-bin/shopping/jalstore.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=cs-astm)<< or possibley a >>pinkish burmuda sand (http://www.jlaquatics.com/cgi-bin/shopping/jalstore.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=cs-ascbp15)<<.

Cheers
Steve

[firefly]

Ok, Steve. I'll take a look at those sand that you've mentioned.

Thanks a lot for your kind advice.

Cheers.
:)