The Puffer Forum

I'm going to change the substrate of my F8 tank from small gravel to aragonite. I've never used anything but decorative aquarium gravel before, so I wanted to double-check here to make sure the stuff I'm considering is "correct" before heading to the store.

Would any/all of these be fine? Will I be able to vacuum aragonite substrate the way I currently do gravel?

http://www.caribsea.com/pages/products/ ... onite.html

I'd say that it's fine. However, be sure to rinse it beyond belief. If you don't get it cleaned good your tank will look like it's full of milk. as far as cleaning you can still use a gravel vac but don't put it right to the sand or else it will suck it up. Hold it about 2-3 inches above the sand and move slowly over it.

I think Amazon.com is a good place to buy the sand. I bought 20 pounds for $22 and free shipping.

Good luck =]

That's the stuff If you get the large size you can vacuum it just like gravel.

All my F-8s have lived over Caribsea aragonite. As Flutter already said, that is the right stuff. Her comments on vacuuming are also right on.

Pre-cleaning aragonite is not like cleaning inert silica sand or aquarium gravel. There will always be a bit of apparent cloudiness from the fines abraded from the aragonite by stirring, but it will settle out or dissolve soon.

just to add to this .. the silt is not always bad. As unsightly as it is, it does provide a nice bed for beneficial bacteria. Eventually it will settle out. Over time, with each water change you'll have less and less. As always test the water and see if it is compatible for the fish you are considering.