Glass for DSB
 

I was reading about dsb's and I know that silica is unsoluable in water so I am not worried about using that but what I found today is glass beads (used in sandblasting) I had the supplyer call the manuafactuer and find otu the composition.. 100% crushed / ground glass (recycled) now the mesh size of the stuff I was looking at is 100 to 170 so I was wondering if this is too fine and if anyone can think of other problems with this..

Steve

Glass for DSB
 

Welcome to the dark side...

Just kidding...The DSB should have different types of grain size...from large grains to the fine stuff. Try mixing different grain size to your DSB. I think the 100-170 mesh size size satisfies the fine stuff of the DSB.

Sure beats buying stuff from the LFS eh. Currently, I am using domilite lime. Yupe...its the same stuff you put on your lawn [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] It doesn't disolve in normal saltwater pH levels and its white. Best of all...its cheap...$2.5 per 20kg. I put a 5" DSB in my 90 gal for $15.

- Victor.

Glass for DSB
 

Domilite lime.. now thats even cheeper.. how long have you been using it?

Steve

Glass for DSB
 

I've been using it for 6 months in my 5.5G and 1 month on my 90G. On RC, some reefers use it too. Domolite lime comes in many grades...some are good and some are bad. I used the Revy kind...the HD kind was not as white and it had some dirt particles.

FYI, Domolite lime is mostly calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate -- the same stuff you get when you overdose calcium in a reef [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Hope that helps.

- Victor.

Glass for DSB
 

hey Victor thanks that is something I am going to have to check out. a couple questions though, how easy does it get stired up or does it act pretty much like sand? and is there anyway to tell on the bag if it is a good grade or not? ( last time I limed my lawn I thought it was a powder and not a grain) how fine is the stuff you are using?

Steve

[ 22 November 2001: Message edited by: StirCrazy ]

Glass for DSB
 

No problem Steve. I have noticed that there are different types of domilite lime -- some have chemicals in them that make it easier to spread on your lawn ($10 a bag). Just look at the label and see if they add anything special to it. It should contain mostly calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate.

Basically, I look at the mesh size and if 50% is bigger than mesh size 100 and 50% is less...than its good enough for me. I also look at the guaranteed composition and make sure its mostly Magnesium Carbonate and Calcium Carbonate. Lastly, I take a sample of stuff and dunk it in saltwater. Wait 30 minutes. And measure the pH. If the pH goes up...this stuff has kalk in it. If its stay the same, then its good.

As for it being too fine. I thought that would be a problem at first. When you plunk the stuff in, its going to make your tank look like milk. After a couple of days, it will settle. After a couple of weeks, the bacteria and algae will start to grow on the fine sand, and the fine sand will always sink.

If you think it is too fine, you can add a bag of crush coral or something similar.

Hope that helps.

- Victor.

[ 22 November 2001: Message edited by: reefburnaby ]

Glass for DSB
 

ok thanks for the info I will have tomake a trip to the hardware store next week and check it out.. if it turns out to be the wrong one the lawn could always use it [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Steve

Glass for DSB
 

Victor,

do you have a digital camera? if so could you take a picture of the lime bag for me, if not can you write the brand name and anything else on the bag that will help me identify it.. I would rather get a brand that is proven than take a chance with something else.

Thanks
Steve

Glass for DSB
 

Hi,

Its kind of funny, but I don't have a digital camera. Maybe that will change in a week or so (Boxing Day Sales [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] ). What kind of hardware stores do you usually go to ? HD ? Revy ?

As an update, the sand is doing quite well.

- Victor.

Glass for DSB
 

well we have a home depot out here and I think a revy.. doesent matter whare I go to me as long as I am getting the right stuff [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Steve