Dolomite for CR

[reefs4life]

Hey guys, I've been reading up on using dolomite in calcium reactors to maintain stable magnesium levels. I was wondering who uses it and how they like it...also I'd like to know where you get your supply. Thanks Fortunato

 

[MIKE NY]

I tried running dolomite in my reactor a few years ago. The problem I had was the dolomite needed a lower PH to disolve than the ARM media I use. If I lowered the PH(higher C02) the ARM would get mushy and produce a higher concenration of cal and alk than my tank needed....I just been using Mag Flake in recent years.....but depending on the demands of your system it may work for you.

 

[PeterD]

when you said dolomite i thought your were talking about lacrosse sticks i was sooo confused:duh::banghead:

 

[jrobbins]

i have never tried it, but i would just be careful about where you get it from.

at a company i used to work at we used it for smelting or something (no idea really what they did with it) but i know that there were sometimes issues of lead and other contaminants it it. probably not an issue if you are getting it from an aquarium supply company, but if you are looking at horticultural stuff (i think they also use it to grow plants) i would just make sure you know whats in it.

 

[Boomer]

jrobbins

I'm the innovator of Dolomite in reactors from back in the early 90's The issue here is what kinda of dolomite you are using, the amount used and where it is placed in the reactor. In more recent years the step has been towards "activated dolomite", which does not have the issues of the std dolomite when it comes to lowering pH to get better dissolution of the dolomite. Zeovit sells this type called ZeoMag.

To often is the case with std dolomite is using to much requiring a lower pH or lowering the pH to much. A good starting point is 10 % by vol placed in the reactor where it has the lowest pH and not mixing it in with the reactor media. The input pH being lower on entering the dolomite will bring about dissolution of the dolomite and raise the pH up some when it enters the calcium reactor media.

In regards to all dolomite is not the same. Allot of the so called dolomite sold is not really dolomite but dolomitic limestone, where the actual mineral DOLOMITE is much less in its make-up and contains more Calcium Carbonate, as Calcite. True dolomite starts at 90 % or better of the mineral Dolomite and 10 % or less of the mineral Calcite.

Here is a summary;

> 90 % Calcite & 0 - 10 % Dolomite = Limestone

90 -50 % Calcite & 10 -50 % Dolomite = Dolomitic Limestone

10 - 50 % Calcite & 90 - 50 % Dolomite = Calcitic Dolomite

0 - 10 % Calcite and > 90 - 100 % Dolomite = Dolomite (Dolostone)

-----Increasing in the mineral Dolomite ---->>

LS--------DL-------------CL-----------D

0---------10--------------50----------90--100 % Dolomite

<<<-----Increasing in the mineral Calcite -----

 

[fripclaksid]

ljljljkjl

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

jrobbins

I'm the innovator of Dolomite in reactors from back in the early 90's The issue here is what kinda of dolomite you are using, the amount used and where it is placed in the reactor. In more recent years the step has been towards "activated dolomite", which does not have the issues of the std dolomite when it comes to lowering pH to get better dissolution of the dolomite. Zeovit sells this type called ZeoMag.

To often is the case with std dolomite is using to much requiring a lower pH or lowering the pH to much. A good starting point is 10 % by vol placed in the reactor where it has the lowest pH and not mixing it in with the reactor media. The input pH being lower on entering the dolomite will bring about dissolution of the dolomite and raise the pH up some when it enters the calcium reactor media.

In regards to all dolomite is not the same. Allot of the so called dolomite sold is not really dolomite but dolomitic limestone, where the actual mineral DOLOMITE is much less in its make-up and contains more Calcium Carbonate, as Calcite. True dolomite starts at 90 % or better of the mineral Dolomite and 10 % or less of the mineral Calcite.

Here is a summary;

> 90 % Calcite & 0 - 10 % Dolomite = Limestone

90 -50 % Calcite & 10 -50 % Dolomite = Dolomitic Limestone

10 - 50 % Calcite & 90 - 50 % Dolomite = Calcitic Dolomite

0 - 10 % Calcite and > 90 - 100 % Dolomite = Dolomite (Dolostone)

-----Increasing in the mineral Dolomite ---->>

LS--------DL-------------CL-----------D

0---------10--------------50----------90--100 % Dolomite

<<<-----Increasing in the mineral Calcite -----

Boomer,
Great explanation.