CA Reactor Media Question

[StephenA]

Would there be any problems putting empty turbo snail shells in my CA Reactor for media? I would think they would dissolve just like the crushed coral.

[StephenA]

^Bump

[Richard]

Typically snail shells contain alot of silicate. So probably not a good idea.

I'm using A.R.M media. It contains a noticable amout of shell material as well which makes me wonder. I think I might try carib sea special grade aragonite next time. It would be cheaper and I saw some test results (RC I think) that showed it had less phophate than ARM and others packaged reactor medias.

[matt]

I'd second Richard's advice, and suggest that you search for some articles that have analysis of several reactor media brands. Due to the low ph in a reactor, foreign substances like metals have a high dissolution rate. Finding a media that has really low levels of everything except calcium carbonate would be great. Maybe this will be the next great debate like the salt wars of a few years ago.

[StephenA]

Thanks for the info, I'll look in to using carib sea special grade aragonite and get back with you.