Aragonite in a Reactor?

[Aspect]

Does anyone use fossilized aragonite in a reactor? If so, is it practical, and would it be best to tumble, or hold in place?

 

[Dan_P]

Does anyone use fossilized aragonite in a reactor? If so, is it practical, and would it be best to tumble, or hold in place?

Clarification. Reactor for what?

 

[Aspect]

Clarification. Reactor for what?

I don't understand what you mean? A reactor like an acrylic tube that waters gets pumped through. Typically used for carbon or biopellets.

 

[Dan_P]

I don't understand what you mean? A reactor like an acrylic tube that waters gets pumped through. Typically used for carbon or biopellets.

What is the purpose of the reactor might have been a better question.

 

[Aspect]

What is the purpose of the reactor might have been a better question.

The aragonite is a calcium/ph buffer

 

[TokenReefer]

Like a calcium reactor?

 

[Aspect]

Like a calcium reactor?

No just a normal reactor. As the aragonite breaks down it releases calcium and is also a ph buffer.

 

[TokenReefer]

It'd take years but... Sure. Fwiw that's one half of a calcium reactor. The other half is more complicated

 

[Aspect]

It'd take years but... Sure. Fwiw that's one half of a calcium reactor. The other half is more complicated

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/aqua-natural-marine-lagoon-accents-46-fl-oz-3223681
That's the stuff I have. Would it really take years? I wonder if tumbling would speed the process up.

 

[TokenReefer]

Tumbling would possibly make smaller particles which I suppose could speed up the timeline but still so slow probably not worth it...

 

[TokenReefer]

You really need a low ph (acid) to speed things up

 

[Aspect]

Wow why do they even sell this stuff?

 

[TokenReefer]

I think it will buffer the water to some extent. Try it. Test your alk and ph see what changes

 

[TokenReefer]

Idk I'd tumble it. Wouldn't want cloudy water etc. Maybe just lock it down w foam and run water through it... May be futile tho

 

[TokenReefer]

To clarify it'd probably buffer freshwater but not do anything to our saltwater tank

 

[HomebroodExotics]

Wow why do they even sell this stuff?

Decoration

 

[Dan_P]

The aragonite is a calcium/ph buffer

Yes, it could do that, but a reef system’s water has a pH of about 8. Not sure how much it will help.

Calcium carbonate will also adsorb PO4. Until the carbonate is saturated with PO4, it will draw down the systems PO4 and then return it when the PO4 level. Possibly a non-issue for a small reactor.

Depending on your reactor maintenance schedule, the carbonate reactor will start to become a home for bacteria growth and become a bioreactor. Not a bad thing, maybe even a welcome bonus.

So, if the bacteria reactor is what you want, adjust the flow so the particles don’t abrade the biofilm by tumbling vigorously. For a chemical reactor some tumbling or fluidization is beneficial for good mass transfer. Calcium carbonate can abrade but the amount could be too low to matter.