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Calcium Carbonate as a Substrate?

5K views 13 replies 3 participants last post by  iheartmypitbull 
#1 ·
I'm posting this in both the saltwater and freshwater sections because I don't know who would be more likely to know an answer.

So there's substrate out there for reptile tanks that's called calci-sand and it's calcium carbonate. I found a page online about the dangers of over exposure harming reptiles and humans, but what about fish? I mean, there's lots of things we put in tanks that can be dangerous to us (the first that came to mind is just about every ich medication that's known to the state of california to cause cancer). So would calcium carbonate in your tank hurt your fish? Here's the link to the page on the dangers:

Calcium Sand - Dangers

So, assuming all of this is null and void because it's in a fish tank (which doesn't make a lot of sense but also wouldn't surprise me), what effect would this have on the water chemistry? Does anyone know if it would affect the amount of calcium or the pH or something in the tank?

I asked my friend and she said she had no idea about the water chemistry but when this stuff gets wet it hardens almost to a cement. If THAT is also true, what would happen if you used it like sand in your tank, stuck some plastic plants in it, and then filled it with water? Would it give you a solid substrate to hold plants in place and you wouldn't have to clean it? I know a lot of beneficial bacteria lives in the gravel/sand, but maybe a thin layer underneath would hold down your plants so your big fish (i.e. SA cichlids) couldn't "redecorate"?

I know you don't really use plants in saltwater but I figure someone out there might know about the calcium and all that, since obviously I don't.

Thanks!

(Sorry there's like three different questions, I was thinking really deeply into this)
 
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#2 ·
you pose an interesting set of ideas ... as i am not sure my self i wont attempt to address them but rather offer a thought..
would it be a bad idea to get a small 5.5 gallon and test the theories you pose?

obviously with out live stock, but utilizing a set of tests and a little time you could set up the situation you are talking about and run full batteries of tests (again with out live stock present) if after a set time (say 1-2 months) if your tests are coming up safe then the next natural step would be to empty clean and test again to see if any thing changes in your tests... again after some time if all tests well attempt a live run of the situation....

again if any one has any information please share but this is how i would go about finding out...
 
#3 · (Edited)
I was thinking of testing it but I thought I'd ask first to see if anyone already knew. Also, I'm wondering if maybe someone who knows a thing or two about saltwater should try it, since don't you need to supplement calcium in saltwater tanks? (I don't know anything about it but I know I don't have any sort of way to test the calcium)

I also feel like I should admit that I don't understand as much about water chemistry (even in freshwater) as I should. I get the basics (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, etc), but I start to get lost on hardness and phosphates and all that. So I might need to have someone explain it to me in small words :)
 
#4 ·
yes calcium is very important in some salt water systems particularly reefs.... perhaps i may test your ideas if you are ok with that as i have tanks available as well as test kits..... i will not test it live how ever and i would need to buy a small bag of the sand over the week end.... but this poses an interesting question if it leaches Cal into the water could this be used as a way to dose? for example were this to be a feasible situation and if all tests are sound and safe if this lets a certain amount of Cal into the water could making a block of this to sit in the sump be a slowly releasing solution to dosing Cal??? again just an idea at this point and i am sure i am over looking some points but in the stage of theory it sounds plausible..... hmmmmm if i may i will look into this a bit further for either some one with the answer or a test to discover.....
 
#6 ·
i would rather give you all credit as this is your idea to begin with i just jumped in from an off angel or two LOL i truly want no credit.... i hope some one her may be able to add to this as i feel some of our more experienced members may have the key already.....
reefs? Pasfur? Wake? Onefish? any one i forgot???
 
#12 ·
You cannot and should not use pure calcium carbonate as a substrate. I suspect your friend is correct, it would turn to cement or something similar. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is a substance found within certain rocks, shells (of marine creatures), etc. It is usually available as a powder, and used in lime for instance for gardens.

When we refer to certain types of rock (limestone, marble, dolomite), shells (of crustaceans) and coral as being calcareous, that means these materials contain calcium carbonate.

Calcium and magnesium are the two prime minerals that create hardness in water when they dissolve into it. Water running over limestone will be hard due to the dissolved calcium. In aquaria, this is fine for livebearers that need hard water, or rift lake cichlids. But in a tank of soft water fish it will work contrary to the needs of the fish.

As for substrates, speaking only from the fish aquarium perspective, I am only aware of those made with dolomite, crushed coral, marble, limestone; the calcium carbonate in these materials as I mentioned above will raise the hardness and corresponding pH of the water.

Byron.
Seems to me like he's saying it'd be fine as long as your fish needed hard water?
 
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