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Unread 06/26/2017, 03:42 PM   #1
Apocrathia
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Cheap Aragonite Substrate?

I've recently stumbled upon the following YouTube video from someone claiming to have found a super cheap source of aragonite:



The video is a couple of years old, and there have been a couple of updates reporting no issues. However, I'm still skeptical.

The product in question is this: Manna Pro Oyster Shell, 50 lb. from Tractor Supply Co.

Can someone shed some light on this? Because $10 for 50lbs of substrate is insane.


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Unread 06/26/2017, 03:46 PM   #2
Clownfish Chris
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I have used. It had a ton of phosphates in it. If you rinse the heck out of it and treat with lanthanum chloride you will be fine.


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Unread 06/26/2017, 03:49 PM   #3
mcgyvr
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yep.. its a best kept redneck secret..
IF you like a coarser mix and don't mind potentially battling a bit of phosphate its a totally viable solution..


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Unread 06/26/2017, 04:01 PM   #4
der_wille_zur_macht
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Apocrathia View Post
Because $10 for 50lbs of substrate is insane.
Wait until you find out about Southdown sand...


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Unread 06/26/2017, 04:07 PM   #5
squeakymcmurdo
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Manna Pro's brand of "Oyster Shell" is more like gravel. However...it looks to be at least 90% crushed coral. The bag says oyster shell and coral.


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Unread 06/26/2017, 05:42 PM   #6
Apocrathia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clownfish Chris View Post
I have used. It had a ton of phosphates in it. If you rinse the heck out of it and treat with lanthanum chloride you will be fine.


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I take it this would work https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002IXKS4/?


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Unread 06/26/2017, 05:49 PM   #7
Apocrathia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by der_wille_zur_macht View Post
Wait until you find out about Southdown sand...


And a little bit of Google-whacking later, it looks like that company closed shop, unfortunately. The oyster shell seems to be the closest thing these days. Perhaps there's a good way to grind it down a little further...


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Unread 06/26/2017, 06:58 PM   #8
Rene Obergfell
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I would not want to battle phosphates and algae to save a few bucks.

Sand is in your system for years and years.

Cheap and saltwater don't mix


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Unread 06/26/2017, 07:22 PM   #9
der_wille_zur_macht
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Apocrathia View Post
And a little bit of Google-whacking later, it looks like that company closed shop, unfortunately. The oyster shell seems to be the closest thing these days. Perhaps there's a good way to grind it down a little further...


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There's been a succession of brand names for the same product, one of them had castle in it (oldcastle? Whitecastle? I don't remember). I haven't bought any in probably 10 years but it was the substrate of choice for penny pinching reefers for years.


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