CaribSea Aragonite as substrate?

[AudiDyl]

Title basically says it all. I've had a tank cycling for awhile now to see how the "CaribSea Aragonite" would affect pH and KH levels, but they don't seem to affect them at all, and are all sitting great! But I'm wondering if it would be too abrasive for the rays? It doesn't seem very coarse, especially after being sifted for awhile. But I'm curious as to if anyone has ever used this for their rays?

 

[FJB]

I am not familiar with CaribSea Aragonite, and have never used it. However, if it is true ARAGONITE, then it is one of the various crystallization forms of CaCO3 (calcium carbonate).
If placed in relatively soft water with pH below 7, then aragonite WILL dissolve some (albeit slowly), and thus it WILL affect the pH, by elevating it and by increasing total hardness. If it is placed in harder water with a higher pH, it will help to maintain the higher pH (buffering) and should not dissolve.
So, it is important to consider your tap water characteristics, and the type of fish you want to keep to decide whether aragonite is a desirable substratum.
I don't keep rays either, but I would think aragonite will NOT be a desirable substratum for SAmerican freshwater rays, due to its effect on water characteristics. I would also think it may be too rough on the rays, but I have no experience with that. Hopefully others may have complementary suggestions.

 

[wednesday13]

carib sea torpedo beach is the best substrate for rays… its a heavier grained “sand”, not too small, not too large. Its perfect. Does not stick to the rays disc like smaller finer grained sands. Does not get up into the water column when stirred and its smooth grained so it does not cut up the rays disc. Aragonite is most definitely not appropriate for fresh water rays. Its far too sharp.

 

[Potato Patatto]

Any affect on PH/KH would/will be negligible. Reef Keepers have to dose a slew of ingredients to maintain high levels of both.

 

[AudiDyl]

carib sea torpedo beach is the best substrate for rays… its a heavier grained “sand”, not too small, not too large. Its perfect. Does not stick to the rays disc like smaller finer grained sands. Does not get up into the water column when stirred and its smooth grained so it does not cut up the rays disc. Aragonite is most definitely not appropriate for fresh water rays. Its far too sharp.

So all I could find near me for "Torpedo Beach" was this Super Naturals stuff, it seems like it has the same logo as the torpedo beach that I find online. Would this be okay for the Rays? I could only find 5lb bags of it, so I grabbed a few of them just in case this stuff would be good

 

[wednesday13]

So all I could find near me for "Torpedo Beach" was this Super Naturals stuff, it seems like it has the same logo as the torpedo beach that I find online. Would this be okay for the Rays?View attachment 1489818 I could only find 5lb bags of it, so I grabbed a few of them just in case this stuff would be good

Ive never seen the Torpedo beach in a store… i order it online. Some of the “super naturals” are the small grain i was referring too that sticks to the rays disc/slime coat and can also cloud the water column and get into ur pumps easily being so fine. Its annoying i know. Ive tried them all believe me. It is much better than the agronite, at least its not sharp. If ur running canister filters or an in line filter it might be a problem tho. “Super naturals” is just the series of substrates. Theres quite a few. Another one that is “ray friendly” is the “peace river” is a small rounded gravel 1 size larger than the torpedo beach. Ive tried about every substrate available in my day and the torpedo beach is all ill run after 15+ yrs in the hobby. Annoying to find it and order online i agree but its worth every penny for rays. Its a cross between sand and gravel. It almost looks like crushed glass but its smooth. Really is perfect for them. Note the size of the “grain” in the provided picture ?.

 

[AudiDyl]

Ive never seen the Torpedo beach in a store… i order it online. Some of the “super naturals” are the small grain i was referring too that sticks to the rays disc/slime coat and can also cloud the water column and get into ur pumps easily being so fine. Its annoying i know. Ive tried them all believe me. It is much better than the agronite, at least its not sharp. If ur running canister filters or an in line filter it might be a problem tho. “Super naturals” is just the series of substrates. Theres quite a few. Another one that is “ray friendly” is the “peace river” is a small rounded gravel 1 size larger than the torpedo beach. Ive tried about every substrate available in my day and the torpedo beach is all ill run after 15+ yrs in the hobby. Annoying to find it and order online i agree but its worth every penny for rays. Its a cross between sand and gravel. It almost looks like crushed glass but its smooth. Really is perfect for them. Note the size of the “grain” in the provided picture ?.
View attachment 1489827

Would I be able to add the torpedo beach while the rays are in the tank? I was hoping to get some in before my trip to CO so it would all be settled when my new rays got in on the 22nd, also two Fluval FX6's, with the intake tubes on either side, so it probably would pick this sand up quite a bit tbh. It's pretty small compared to some of the sand that I've seen

 

[AudiDyl]

I did just place an order for some torpedo beach! So i'll be getting that in there as soon as I can

 

[wednesday13]

Would I be able to add the torpedo beach while the rays are in the tank? I was hoping to get some in before my trip to CO so it would all be settled when my new rays got in on the 22nd, also two Fluval FX6's, with the intake tubes on either side, so it probably would pick this sand up quite a bit tbh. It's pretty small compared to some of the sand that I've seen

Unlike regular (small grain) sand yes… rinse it well and dump it right in. Ive added rinsed bags with fish in the tank no problem. Being heavy grain the torpedo beach does not cloud the tank or enter the water column. Its heavy enough to settle when being sifted or stirred. If ur running fx5’s the carib sea “peace river” might be ever better for ya. Tad heavier than the torpedo beach and wont get sucked into ur pumps but its still smooth and small enough for the rays to dig into if they wish.

 

[wednesday13]

I did just place an order for some torpedo beach! So i'll be getting that in there as soon as I can

U wont b disapointed ?… i had to honestly see it in person in a friends tank before i realised how good it was lol. Rays will sift and turn it over so it never creates dead spots or gas pockets like the smaller regular sand