[StirCrazy]

It was once again pointed out to me that Caribsea products (ie. sugarsand and argamax) are mined in a quary in the same fashion as southdown and dolomite. so having said this, it stands to reason that there is the same chance of getting contamanation in each of them.

In a different Post I have discovered that Dolomite was one of the substrates of choice for people years ago when the only other stuff you could get was crushed coarl and oystershells, I guess not eveyone had read that or they just skimmed throught it and forgot. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

After a lot more reading last night I decided I will use dolomite and not caribsea in my tank, if some people want to consider this experamental you can, or just unsafe...go ahead, but from about 2 months of researching this, I found that dolomite was widely used befor caribsea came about and there are people still running it on tanks that are 2+ years old with no problems. but like the disclamer reads **make sure you get the right kinda dolomite, one that has not been altered to provide a slow release or any other properties.***

so now the question remains.. why are somany people using the caribsea sand, well because it is new? (we all know how this hobby thrives on NEW) is it beter? ( I don't know about that yet)
Because it is made by an aquarium supply company?
(Bingo, if a aquarium hobby company is making it people will automaticly assume it is better. after all IceCap is the most effecient, and cost effective ballast money can buy.... right? [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] )
sorry I coulden't resist [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

why are they using dolomite? well it is Cheep (1/10th of the price) It is white (beautifuly white) it is better than caribsea? ( I don't think so but I will hazard to guess that is is just as good.) it has already been provin to be better than crushed coarl or crushed oyster shells in that it has less contaminants in it.

Now I am not saying run out and buy it or don't buy the other stuff I am just saying keepa open mind and don't condem somthing on the basis that it wasen't specificaly sold for fishtanks, or that it is cheeper there for it must not be as good. cuz we all know this doesen't hold water.

Victor, I have one request of you if that is ok, can you find Mg test kit somewhare and test your tank? maby if some one has one when they come over to your house on the weekend they could bring it with them if you don't have one. I would be curious to see what the level is befor and after a water change.

one more thing I feel needs to be pointed out again, in my test between sugarsand and dolomite, the sugarsand added MORE desolved particals to the water colume than the dolomite did. this was also not just a 1 time test I had 8 wine glasses going for 4 seperat tests (much to the wife's dissaproval [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] )and they were all consistant.

Steve

[ 22 January 2002: Message edited by: StirCrazy ]</p>