southdown

[gflat65]

Can someone educate me on Southdown? I had never heard of it until I signed on to the forum. I've always been a supporter of 1-2mm grain size aragonite. What are the differences, pro's/con's, etc? What kind of particle size are we talking about? Finally, is there still someone out there with some for sale or trade? Don't have a whole lot to trade for, but might have something of value. If this stuff is as good as it seems and gets high accolades, I'll definitely be interested in some.

[Sir Knight]

Southdown is the same stuff as Pure Caribbean Aragonite at a grain size I think of 0.18 to 1.2mm. This is the same stuff you buy in the pet stores with a different name. It all comes from the same place. THE BIG DIFFERENCE IS PRICE

[Mdwannabe]

Gflat:

If you are at the meeting on Saturday, look for me I have a couple hundred extra pounds (really):dance:

[SexiShrimp]

how much would I need for a 55 FOWLR tank?? please PM me! Thanks appreciate it!
:)
Mimi

[gflat65]

mdwannabe
I already worked out a deal with pioneerlog-just need to call him. Thanks anyway.

[SRA4031]

How much is it mdwannabe, and can anyone tell me if it is more beneficial than the course Aragonite you get at the LFS. Should I switch? 75 gal reef tank.

[fishdoc11]

If you allready have aragonite you have the same thing so there is no reason to switch. The reason you hear so much about it is that it is about 1/10 the cost of the stuff you buy in a lfs. In other words southdown can save you alot of money when you set up a tank. If it's allready set up it's a moot poiint.
Chris

[SRA4031]

So the coarseness is not a factor then.

[fishdoc11]

Yes the courseness is a factor but there are as many different opinions on that as there are reef tanks. As long as your nitrates are zero the sandbed is working fine. What kind of substrate do you have and what is the particle size?
Chris

[SRA4031]

It is the aragonite A/C sold me when I set the tank up, it is like very small gravel. Not much more I could tell you on that.

[fishdoc11]

Thats what I have, it works fine.
Chris

[gflat65]

goldeneagle
There are many reasons to chose differing types of substrate. I am a big fan of the sugar sizes aragonite, but apparently few around here are, since no one sells it. They will all work essentially the same, but with differing effects. The sugar sized gives you a smaller particle size that allows more surface area for the anaerobic bacteria to live. the large the particle sizer, the less the surface area. But like fishdoc said, if it works and the LSB is cycled and keeping your tank constant, you've got no worries. The muds, like the sugar sized allow for a variety of sand worms that, unlike in BeetleJuice, devour everything they can grab, etc. The larger particles can be better for sand sifting critters like starts et. al. IMO, if it is aragonite and is cycled, most things are right with the world:)

[SRA4031]

OK thanks a bunch