Dolomite or CO2 tank locally?

[mbierzyc]

I'm ready to set up my Calcium Reactor and still need the tank and would like some dolomite.

I work during the week, so does anyone know of a place near Chicago that sells CO2 tanks on the weekend? Better yet, anyone have one for sale?

Anyone local have any extra dolomite?



Thanks,

Matt

[Sullyman]

Matt, I've got the 3/4" dolomite and you're welcome to some.

[ppurcell]

I was thinking about stopping by the local landscaping supply and asking them for some dolomite. Any reason not to go this route? Is there a 'special' pure dolomite that needs to be acquired from a secret source?

[NewSchool04]

There is a trick with the dolomite so don't just go out and get whatever you see. The trick is . . . drum roll. . . I don't know. But I do remember menard posting something about it a while ago and it had something to do about the color of the dolomite. I know it's not something you can just go and get anywhere.

[chitowner]

tricks and dolomite? are we talking about that classic pimp from the 70's?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4d/Dolemite.jpg

[ppurcell]

now if that isn't the mother of all hijacks! :)

funny though.

[rickyb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10100323#post10100323 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sullyman
Matt, I've got the 3/4" dolomite and you're welcome to some.

I still have all that powder dolomite I picked up from you. Some of the guys here say they will stop by to get some but never do.

[Sullyman]

There's no secret type of dolomite and they do use it for landscaping.
The dolo I've got came from the quarry in S. Elgin.
The only thing with the dolomite is that you need the Ph much lower in your reactor to see any benefit.

[ppurcell]

Well, after doing a little more research I found the following quote from this Chemistry and the Aquarium article:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm

It has been suggested that adding dolomite to CaCO3/CO2 reactors can help with magnesium problems. Dolomite is a material that contains both magnesium and calcium carbonate. If dolomite is being added to the reactor to maintain existing appropriate magnesium levels against the continual depletion via calcification (for example, if the calcium carbonate being used is too low in magnesium to maintain adequate magnesium) then this is a fine approach.

However, this method is unsuitable if the goal is to raise magnesium levels. The problem is that for every magnesium ion released from the dolomite, 2 units of alkalinity are also released:

MgCO3 Mg++ + CO3--

Consequently, if one wants to raise magnesium by 100 ppm, the alkalinity will necessarily rise by 8.2 meq/L (23 dKH). The only way around this problem is to add a mineral acid (not vinegar) to the aquarium to reduce the alkalinity, and that may be more problematic than just adding magnesium in the first place.

Unfortunately, I have yet to find anything online that talks about any considerations on the source, size or purity of the dolomite.

[Edward Smith]

What? Mr. Reef Dweller himself didn't hijack the thread?

Ok, let say the word "Plenum" three times and see if he appears.

[rickyb]

I have a "plenum" in my tank :)
I added the powder dolomite to my reactor, so far so good.

[menard]

Dolomite is a super media to maintain mag. in reef aquaria. Do not relay that u toss dolomite in the reactor and it will raise ur mag. automaticly ur mistaken, boost the levels where u wanted it and dolomite will keep it there. Dolomite is harden material it will not dissolve if the PH in the reactor is above 6.2 PH.
Here are some of materials compatible w/ dolomite
Shuran
Gen X
Knop
Aqua Medic

PEACE

[NewSchool04]

Didn't you mention before menard about making sure the color of the stones was all white, didn't have any other colors in it? Maybe it wasn't you!

Your PM box is full by the way menard.

[ostrow]

Menard at 6.2, 6.3 my GenX was dissolving FAST! I'd have to drop my effluent and bubble rates down to miniscule amounts. As it is, I have bubbles at 35/min and effluent at 55-60ml/min, pH is around 6.5 in the reactor.

Is the dolomite not doing anything at that pH level?????

[Sullyman]

Get the Aqua medic media, it's large enough not to dissolve like that.

[ostrow]

Aren't the Gen-X, Shuran and Aquamedic chunks all about the same???

[Sullyman]

Joel, I'm not sure about size comparisons but the aqua medic media seems to be made for the lower Ph. I got it because Menard said he uses it, and I've found it works great with the Dolo and the low Ph.

[ReefWorld03]

Bob, how is the PH in your tank while your run your reactor at 6.2?

[Sullyman]

Mike, I've got the effluent Ph at 5.9-6.0 and the tank's Ph stays at 8 to 8.3, 8.0 at night and up to 8.3 during the day. I really like this aqua medic media, expensive but does the job.

[ReefWorld03]

Impressive 5.9-6.0 , Bob where do you get your Aqua Medic Media from?

[ostrow]

And which Aqua Medic? Medium or Coarse. The latter I see mentioned on teh AM website but not for sale anywhere.

[aiko670]

Squirt, where's my eflo frag?

[ReefWorld03]

Right where it belongs!! How's the tank doing??

[aiko670]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10110570#post10110570 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefWorld03
Right where it belongs!! How's the tank doing??

coming along my friend, coming along... ;)

FWIW I run my ca reactor around 6.5/6.6 with Gen-X and dolomite and my mag stays pretty darn constant...

Here's a link to Menards original thread....

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=841865&highlight=dolomite

[Sullyman]

I got it from Aqua Cave, I bought the largest container and after just looking now, it looks like you have to buy the big bucket to get the coarsest media. If you're going to get some, give Albert at Aqua Cave a call to see if that's the case. After filling 2 reactors, I still have half the media left and I'm not sure how long it will be before I need to refill the reactors again.
I have a third of a 7kg tub of Korolith, if anyone wants to try it.

[ReefWorld03]

Adam, Good to hear things are going well. Thanks for the link. Are you sure you're desolving your dolomite running the reactor PH at that level. Menard states "Dolomite is harden material it will not dissolve if the PH in the reactor is above 6.2 PH" Just curious.


Thanks Bob, I will call first before ordering.

[aiko670]

Well, it's keeping my levels up.... check out the third page of the original post. he said it needs to be 6.5-6.8 to dissolve so that's what i've been going on.

Don't expect it to raise your levels, it's just to maintain them.

[ReefWorld03]

Yep. I just got done reading the whole tread. I'm wondering if he realized it needed to be lower? I knew it was for maintaining, what's you're Mag level at??

[ppurcell]

aiko, thanks for that link to that thread. Everything I wanted to know and more... much appreciated.

BTW, that was the gist of the RHF article. This will maintain your magnesium levels, you can't boost mag levels this way without over-elevating your alk in the process.

[aiko670]

I'm pretty stable at 1300..

I had my CA reactor off line for a few weeks while I was waiting for my new dosing pump and boy did that screw up all my levels. I was in the high 900's and it took a lot of Mag supplement to get me back up to 1350. It's dropped back down to 1300 and seems to have settled in there. I was at a constant 1300 before the tank crash as well. It's amazing how the corals color back up when you get the MAG back up...

[ostrow]

So, then, I'm now very confused. Menard, do you keep your reactor below 6.2 for the dolomite to have any effect? Or is 6.5-6.8 ok?

[menard]

Sorry guys.......:)
Depending on how much SPS u keep in the tank, I have to keep mine at 6.2 Ph to keep every piece happy, took me days until i finally stop tweaking w/ it. The constant demand of mag. the SPS needs, u'll be suprise how much they consume, just turn the reactor one day and u'll back to day one.
The reason I switch to Aqua medic coz my ARM ( aragonite ) keeps cloging my reactor w/ the low PH. I'm pretty much settled w/ Hydrokarbonat, no cloging, just toping when it gets low.
Right now my levels stays at 1330 to 1350 solid, CA at 400 to 430 and Alk. at 9 to 10 DKH.
PEACE

[Sullyman]

The coral growth went zoom,zoom,zoom after I switched from korolith. And that was the korolith at the low Ph level.
Thanks again Menard for some very solid advise

[menard]

Here is fine example.
This 2 majestic tables, when mag. is below 1280 their growth are slow to stunted or go sour on U( RTN ) . This 2 went from 1" frag to a volleyball in size in just close to 2 yrs.
Hyacinthus and Cythera are pictured here
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f146/reefdweller/P6080306.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f146/reefdweller/P6070303.jpg

[ReefWorld03]

Thanks for clearing that up Menard, sweet looking tables.

Adam, what did you use to bring up your Mag levels?

[aiko670]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10113423#post10113423 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefWorld03
Thanks for clearing that up Menard, sweet looking tables.

Adam, what did you use to bring up your Mag levels?

A gallon of ESV B-Ionic.

I agree with Menard, as my tank fills out I may need to drop the effulent to keep up with the demand but right now 6.5-6.6 is working for me....

It's gonna take me a while before I catch up to the Master Reefer... :)

[menard]

Matt
Sorry for the Hi jack there buddy.

I have plenty of dolomite, if u need some let me know. live in Chicago now ?
PEACE

[mbierzyc]

Menard,

I'll definitely take you up on the offer for dolomite.


Your PM box is full. Please let me know if I can stop by tonight some time after or around 7pm.



Thanks,

Matt

[yznhmr]

I have some dolmite also.. for you suburban folk..
Menard.. are you running a Kalk reactor also?

[ppurcell]

Jason, can I get some from you? I come up to Schaumburg about every other week or so and that would be more convenient than a special trip out to South Elgin from Naperville.

[yznhmr]

sure no prob.. bring a quarter....($.25)...lol

[menard]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10113693#post10113693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mbierzyc
Menard,

I'll definitely take you up on the offer for dolomite.


Your PM box is full. Please let me know if I can stop by tonight some time after or around 7pm.



Thanks,

Matt Matt
PM sent !

[yznhmr]

menard
you using kalk?

[menard]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10113880#post10113880 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yznhmr
I have some dolmite also.. for you suburban folk..
Menard.. are you running a Kalk reactor also?
Jason

No! I dont run Kalk reactor in my system.

[yznhmr]

how do you keep your PH up?

[menard]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10117484#post10117484 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yznhmr
how do you keep your PH up?
PH ? I have no problem w/ it.
Day time 8.3
Night or early in the morning 7.9
Theres no need to mess w/ that reading, I'm good.:)

[yznhmr]

mine never goes above 8 unless i add buffer..

i have opened a window with a fann.. no help

[rickyb]

Menard, are you saying that the powder dolomite I'm currently using is useless? only to use the rock form dolomite.

[ppurcell]

Jason, I'm going to be in Schaumburg tomorrow any chance I can swing by after work and pick up some rocks? Can you PM or email me? I can't PM you.

ppurcell [at] wideopenwest [dot] com

[yznhmr]

email sent

[ppurcell]

Jason, call me if you can. I left home today without bringing your address or phone number with me... doh!