Would it be a dumb idea?

[BIGgourami]

if you can find another way to buffer the calcium and pH, go for it...

i'd still use live rock or some other calcium based rock for the tank though

 

[mr.reef24]

I would check any substrate geared toward freshwater tanks contents to what its made of and what chemicals are used to be honest I wouldn't use anything geared for FW in a SW tank

mr.reef24

 

[akskirmish]

I would check any substrate geared toward freshwater tanks contents to what its made of and what chemicals are used to be honest I wouldn't use anything geared for FW in a SW tank

mr.reef24

Cheers



Have you seen a salt substrate to halfway mimick the Tahitian moon sand though (black)?

 

[TheCanuck]

Cheers



Have you seen a salt substrate to halfway mimick the Tahitian moon sand though (black)?

You can use the tahitian moon sand no problem. Though with this you will need to watch your ph levels. Live sand will hold you ph steadier , and your other mag , cal , and other things. With the black sand your just making more work , though with a reef tank you already have a lot of work so i dont see the problem

Just make sure its brand new!!!
I dont care how many times you have washed sand , once the bacteria turns anerobic everything in your new tank is dead.

 

[BIGgourami]

i've had some troubles with metal deposits in TMS. it's volcanic afterall so there's really no predictable ammount in it. sometimes my substrate will rust over, with iron, sometimes copper, and sometimes not at all...


caribsea does make a similar salt-oriented substrate though
http://www.caribsea.com/pages/buy_it/aragalive/buy_hawaiian-black.html

 

[stanky]

Fresh water subtrate will not buffer the PH......your creating more work and the need for chemicals.....I wouldn't do it....