DIY ROCK Questions

Does anybody know if I can use pavers sand for DIY rock?

 

I wouldn't....if your making the rock salt concrete rock its likely to fall apart in a year or so. All mine started crumbling. Didn't matter what mix. I think a few others in the club had the lame outcome

 

+1

plus it is not arrogonite, so you loose the ph buffering natural rock gives you

 

Thank's for the lame answer.  I guess I am going to have to get my wallet out then.

 

You can use crushed oyster shell. There are a lot of people that have done that, and continue to do so (I did). That is a lot cheaper (about $0.16/lb at the feed store) than aragonite, but composed almost completely of the same stuff (95% calcium carbonate).
As far as buffering, I think that is some misinformation that has been spread throughout the reef community. For there to be much (or really any) buffering, the pH of your water would have to drop drastically (something like what we see in a calcium reactor). Obviously pH that low would be detrimental to likely all life in the tank. In other words, if your sand is providing any amount of buffering to your water you likely have other concerns. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif