How to Build an Eco-Friendly Sandbox for Springtime Fun

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Looking for a fun and eco-friendly activity to do with your kids this spring? We’ve got the perfect solution – look no further than Baha Play Sand!

Playing in a sandbox is a classic childhood pastime. There are so many possibilities for kids to explore, and it’s a fun activity for all ages to enjoy. 

Rated Best Overall Sand for Sandboxes and Sand Tables by BobVila.com and positively reviewed by kids and adults, Baha Play Sand is making waves as the best choice of play sand for multiple reasons.

Baha Play Sand is also known as oolitic aragonite sand, which is naturally renewable.

Unlike other play sands, Baha Play Sand is biogenic, renewable, and sustainable…it’s continually made in the ocean!

BAHA’S STANDARDS

o   Safe for children and pets

o   Negative carbon footprint

o   Silica-free (a rarity in standard play sands), quartz-free, allergen-free, and nontoxic

o   Softer and cooler than standard sands

o   Cushioning for comfortable play

o   Easy indoor/outdoor care

o   Available in seven colors (Sunset Red, Orange Sherbet, Sunny Yellow, Palm Green, Aqua Blue, Flamingo Pink, and Onyx Black), as well as uncolored Natural Sand

Read more about Baha Play Sand HERE!

Baha Play Sand is also available in two different sizes – 20 lb. bags and 50 lb. bags. So, whether you have (or are planning to have) a small or large sandbox, we have you covered!

If you’ve never had a sandbox, why not try one this spring? Get out there and build yourself a sandbox today using Baha Play Sand – you can be sure you’re choosing a safe, renewable, and sustainable product. If you already have a sandbox or sand table, swap out your old sand for fresh, sustainable Baha Play Sand in a favorite color for a new world of fun.


BAHA’S BENEFITS

Playing in a sandbox can help promote sensory development (exploring different textures, such as wet, dry, smooth, soft, etc.); spatial recognition (sand taking the shape of buckets or other toys); and physical activity. Additionally, it can help reduce stress and nurture imagination and creativity. Sand is also a great material for children to play with as it’s a great outlet for their exploratory and problem-solving skills. Plus, by using a renewable and sustainably sourced product like Baha Play Sand, you can rest assured knowing that you’re doing your part to help the environment, too.

BUILDING A SANDBOX

Before you begin your project, gather your necessary supplies and materials:

o   Baha Play Sand (readily available online at Home Depot, Walmart, or Amazon)

o   Tools (shovel, rake, trowel, etc.)

o   Edging material (wood, brick, or stone)

o   Landscaping fabric to protect the ground from erosion

 

1) Start by purchasing Baha Play Sand, enough to fill up the size of sandbox you want to build.

2)      Use the edging material to outline the shape of the sandbox.

3)      Dig approximately 2-3 inches deep into the soil, cover with landscaping fabric, and spread the Baha Play Sand evenly throughout the space.

4)      Once the Baha Play Sand has been evenly distributed throughout the sandbox, add the finishing touches of your choosing (toys, decorations, etc.).

BUY, NOT BUILD

Rather buy a ready-made sandbox than build one? Here are links to a few common sandbox or sand table sizes from our seller sites, and how much sand you’ll need*:

Creative Cedar Designs sandboxes - HomeDepot.com

*It’s OK to start with less Baha Play Sand at first and reorder if you need more.

Adding a canopy or awning to your sandbox can help provide shade on hot and sunny days, while adding toys such as shovels, buckets, and colorful beach balls can help make your sandbox extra fun. Decorating your sandbox with colorful flags, potted plants and flowers, and other creative items can also help to add a unique touch. Have fun with it!

FUN IN THE SAND

Enjoying the sandbox is just as easy as building it! Help your kids pick out which toys they’d like to use and then encourage them to get creative. You can also create games and activities that involve the sandbox, such as a treasure hunt or sand painting. Not only will this help your kids have fun, but it will also teach them about environmental science in a fun and engaging way.

If the sandbox gets too dirty, be sure to clean it out with a broom or rake. Use a bucket to carefully sift the sand and remove any debris, such as sticks and leaves, that have accumulated. If the sand level gets too low, fill the sandbox with more Baha Play Sand so that it’s ready for playtime!

Want to share the fun? Drop your photos in the comments for a chance to be featured on our social media!

Calcean Holiday Gift List

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The holidays are upon us.

Thanksgiving was last week, and there are less than 30 days until Christmas (no kidding).

 If you aren’t one of the people who does their Christmas shopping throughout the year, time is running short for ideas for the people on your gift-giving list.

 Thankfully, Calcean can help.

 Calcean processes a variety of products, all featuring a mineral called oolitic aragonite. Oolitic aragonite is a highly pure calcium carbonate that is available from Calcean in either a granular “sand” (SandyCal) or a fine powder (OceanCal). Both of these products can be applicable to various customers in different ways…giftable ways!

Let us tell you about 4 ITEMS you can add to your list of gifts this year (for kids and adults):

BAHA PLAY SAND

One of our most popular products for gift-giving is Baha Play Sand – a renewable and sustainable safe play sand that’s not limited to sandboxes (crafters, rejoice!) and also not limited to kids. It is the ecofriendly choice of play sands.

GIFT IDEAS FOR BAHA PLAY SAND:

  • Sand/water tables

  • Sandbox

  • DIY Kinetic Sand (check it out here)

  • Sand toys for extended sensory play

  • Sand castle kits

  • Dump trucks, sit-on shovels, and other sand toys

READ MORE AND BUY HERE!

LANDSCAPING SAND

In addition to Baha Play Sand is Calcean’s Landscaping Sand, perfect for the home improvement, crafting, and outdoor enthusiasts in your life. It’s available in the same colors as Baha Play Sand, and serves as a colorful, calcium-rich “mulch” and bedding for decorative and practical purposes. It helps tame down weeds while keeping your surrounding greenery healthy.

GIFT IDEAS FOR LANDSCAPING SAND:

  • Zen garden kits (large-scale or tabletop-style)

  • Fairy garden kits (add your own figurines!)

  • Landscaping Sand + a subscription to a landscaping/garden magazine

READ MORE AND BUY HERE!

PLANT CALCIUM

Calcean’s Lawn & Garden Aragonite, or Plant Calcium, is essential to your large- and small-scale gardeners’ success, from backyard gardens to flowerpots. It can be ordered in bulk (SandyCal) for large-scale crop fields (ask us how).

 

GIFT IDEAS FOR PLANT CALCIUM:

  • Plant Calcium + handheld or push spreader

  • Plant Calcium + nice flowerpot + plant of choice

  • Plant Calcium + a subscription to a lawn/garden or farming magazine

READ MORE AND BUY HERE!

CHICKEN CALCIUM

All chickens need calcium: for their bones; for healthy, strong eggshells; and for overall health. Calcean processes fine and coarse grades of Chicken Calcium that are OMRI-listed for organic use and are meant to be scattered or mixed into feed. The fine grade is great for calcium uptake, and the coarse grade provides gizzard grinding material for optimal digestion.

GIFT IDEAS FOR CHICKEN CALCIUM:

  • Chicken Calcium + bag of favorite chicken feed

  • Chicken Calcium + egg supplies (cartons, egg stamps, egg holders, etc.)

  • Chicken Calcium + chicken lovers’ memorabilia (T-shirts, mugs, etc.)

READ MORE AND BUY HERE!

Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn) as we highlight these gift ideas. Feel free to share more ideas with us to add to the list.

Happy Holidays to all!

-The Calcean Team

PRODUCT POST: Chicken Calcium

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All chickens need calcium: for their bones; for healthy, strong eggshells; and for overall health.

Calcean processes fine and coarse grades of chicken calcium that are OMRI-listed for organic use and are meant to be scattered or mixed into feed. The fine grade is ideal for calcium uptake, and the coarse grade provides gizzard grinding material for optimal digestion.

Oolitic aragonite is the biofriendly, safe and suitable choice for poultry requiring additional calcium. Oolitic aragonite naturally contains 96-98% calcium carbonate and approximately 40% elemental calcium. Due to its unique structure and high calcium content, it is one of the most bioavailable sources of calcium for poultry.

FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS:

Add to poultry feed as a calcium supplement or digestive aid, or scatter for foraging. The specially formulated grain sizes allow for either maximum calcium uptake for all poultry and layers (Fine) or calcium combined with gizzard grinding material (Coarse).

IF ADDING TO FEED:

  • Mix 1 lb. Coarse or Fine Aragonite Calcium Feed with 20 lbs. of regular feed. Provide a variety of food choices along with feed during the laying season.

  • Must not be fed in amounts above those needed for adequate nutrition and health maintenance for the species at its specific stage in life.

  • Must not be used to stimulate growth or production.

  • Oolitic aragonite is 96-98% pure calcium carbonate with very low acid insolubles (<0.30%). Competing calcium products have acid insolubles of ~4-5%. High acid insoluble levels indicate more impurities.

  • Oolitic aragonite is the most highly bioavailable source of calcium on the market due to two factors:

    (1) high surface area (over double that of calcite), and

    (2) high elemental calcium content of about 40% (competing calcium sources have 29-33%)

  • Coarse-grade aragonite provides gizzard digestive support; fine-grade gives maximum calcium uptake. Calcium is essential for eggshell integrity

  • Aragonite naturally contains 2-3% amino acids (glutamic and aspartic)

  • Oolitic aragonite removes more carbon from the atmosphere than the harvesting emits, meaning it has a negative carbon footprint.

  • This Chicken Calcium is derived from oolitic aragonite sand, a renewable form of calcium carbonate that naturally regenerates in the ocean

  • Oolitic aragonite is OMRI listed for livestock feed, and oolitic aragonite calcium carbonate is GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by the FDA

LEARN MORE HERE: Calcean

ORDER: sales@piscesusa.com

PRODUCT POST: Landscaping Sand

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Calcean’s Landscaping Sand is perfect for home improvement, crafting, and outdoor enthusiasts. It’s available in the same bright colors as Baha Play Sand (view a gallery at the end of this post), and serves as a colorful, calcium-rich alternative to mulch and bedding for decorative and practical purposes. It helps tame down weeds while keeping your surrounding greenery healthy.

Aragonite sand is an ideal landscaping sand that is both decorative and environmentally friendly. Our landscaping sand is naturally renewable marine aragonite sand. It’s easy to spread and won’t harm sensitive plants or habitats. It’s also easy to handle and non-toxic.

Our colored varieties use non-toxic, food-grade colorant to provide safe, colorfast sand for a splash of color in your yard, park, or any landscaping project – or go “natural” for a simple, beachy look. Great for architectural projects, plant bedding, pavements, fire pits, edging, zen gardens, and more!

Protect our environment and choose nature’s only renewable and sustainable landscaping sand!

ORDER ONLINE: Home Depot | Walmart | Amazon

Check out the benefits of Calcean Landscaping Sand:

  • RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE

    Calcean’s Landscaping Sand is derived from oolitic aragonite sand, a renewable form of calcium carbonate that naturally regenerates in the ocean

  • NEGATIVE CARBON FOOTPRINT

    During its formation, aragonite removes carbon dioxide from the air, helping to reduce the negative impact of climate change

  • EASY CARE & MAINTENANCE

    Calcean’s Landscaping Sand is good for indoor/outdoor use. Its uniform shape and moisture conductivity allows easy manipulation wet or dry

  • COOLER

    Oolitic aragonite is naturally several degrees cooler than typical quartz or silica sands, so it won’t get hot under the sun

  • NON-TOXIC & SILICA-FREE

    Most regular sands contain respirable silica, which can lead to silicosis, a hazardous health condition. Calcean’s Landscaping Sand is also free of quartz.

    Landscaping Sand is safe for the environment, pets, and children.

  • NATURAL, COLORFAST DYE*

    Colored varieties of Landscaping Sand use non-toxic, food-grade colorant that remains colorfast when wet or left in the sun.

    *The colorant (if applicable) and sand are natural products, and there may be natural variations in color. Finer sand particles may cling to skin, but should not stain skin and will wash off with soap and water.

Landscaping Sand is available in these colors:

ORDER ONLINE: Home Depot | Walmart | Amazon

PRODUCT POST: Lawn & Garden Plant Calcium

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Calcean’s Lawn & Garden Plant Calcium is essential to large- and small-scale gardeners’ success, from backyard gardens to flowerpots. It can also be ordered in bulk (SandyCal) for large-scale crop fields (ask us how!).

Lawn & Garden Plant Calcium provides calcium, retains nutrients deliverable in fertilizers, and promotes healthy microbial communities in the soil, translating to healthier plants and increased yields.

Calcium is one of the most important nutrients for plants, especially fruiting plants. Our Plant Calcium is the most bioavailable calcium on the market, providing the critical nutrient all plants need to thrive.

ORDER ONLINE: Home Depot | Walmart | Amazon

At a glance, here’s how your lawn and garden benefits from Plant Calcium:

For more information on lawn & garden plant calcium can meet your needs, please contact us!

  • RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE

    Calcean’s Plant Calcium is derived from oolitic aragonite sand, a renewable form of calcium carbonate that naturally regenerates in the ocean

  • BIOAVAILABLE CALCIUM

    High elemental calcium combined with high surface area and microporosity means aragonite is the most bioavailable calcium on the market

  • COST-EFFECTIVE

    Plant Calcium is effective in smaller quantities compared to standard limes, and can reduce fertilizer usage over time

  • EFFICIENT pH BUFFER

    Plant Calcium quickly and effectively buffers and maintains soil pH, correcting acidic soil

  • INCREASES TOLERANCE

    Plant Calcium increases tolerance to harsh conditions such as drought and close mowing

  • IMPROVES SOIL & FERTILIZER EFFICIENCY

    Plant Calcium immediately starts working in the soil, reviving and supplying nutrients, and it works with fertilizer to keep nutrients in the soil where they belong

  • EASY STORAGE & MAINTENANCE

    Calcean Plant Calcium requires no covering for outdoor storage. It spreads easily both wet and dry, with little to no dust, and is free-flowing (does not clog equipment)

Calcean recommends a soil test be conducted to ensure the correct amount of Lawn & Garden Plant Calcium is used. However, as a general guide for lawn and garden application, please see the dosage chart at right depending on your area’s size. Spread the recommended dosage of Plant Calcium over your lawn or garden using a standard spreader or mix into the soil.

As another helpful guide, check out our blog post for more on how to care for your potted plants! There, you’ll find a potting soil chart guide to reference when adding Plant Calcium to your container plants. Feel free to add a little more or less at your discretion!

For farmers and gardeners who use hydroponics systems and/or large-scale irrigation systems, Calcean also mills its Plant Calcium into a fine powder that can be mixed with water for applying calcium to plants through watering methods. The powder can also be mixed into soil, like its granular counterpart. For more information on OceanCal, please contact us.

ORDER ONLINE: Home Depot | Walmart | Amazon

PRODUCT POST: Baha Play Sand

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One of Calcean’s most popular products is Baha Play Sand.

It makes waves on Home Depot, Amazon and Walmart; has been positively reviewed by kids and adults; and best of all, is the ideal play sand: safe, renewable and sustainable sand that doesn’t harm the environment.

Baha Play Sand is renewable aragonite sand that naturally regenerates in the ocean. In addition to being renewable and sustainable, it is also safe. Many play sands contain silica, which can be hazardous. Baha Play Sand is silica free and non-toxic, making it the perfect safe alternative to other sands.

Our colored play sand uses non-toxic, food-grade colorant to provide safe, colorfast sand for a splash of color in your sandbox. It’s also great for building and molding sand castles and encouraging creativity!

Calcean is happy to make the earth (and your sandbox) a better place through our sand. Make the safe and environmentally conscious decision and choose Baha Play Sand!

ORDER ONLINE: Home Depot | Walmart | Amazon

  • Naturally forming on a continuous basis on the banks of The Bahamas, it is the world’s only renewable and sustainably harvested calcium carbonate sand

  • During its formation, aragonite removes carbon dioxide from the air, helping to reduce the negative impact of climate change

  • Most sands are rough and angular since they are sourced from crushed rock that has been blasted from the ground, like quartz. Grains of oolitic aragonite are renewably biogenic (naturally made), naturally smooth and round to touch, with a consistent texture. “Oolitic” literally means “egg-shaped.”

    This uniform, round shape prevents the sand from becoming hard-packed, creating a shock-absorbent cushion for safety and comfort during extended play.

  • Baha Play Sand is good for indoor/outdoor use, and no outdoor covering is required. Its uniform shape and moisture conductivity allows easy manipulation wet or dry

  • Oolitic aragonite is naturally several degrees cooler than typical quartz or silica sands, so it won’t get hot under the sun

  • Most regular sands contain respirable silica, which can lead to silicosis, a hazardous health condition. Baha Play Sand is also free of quartz.

    Baha Play Sand is safe for the environment, pets, and children.

  • Colored varieties of Baha Play Sand use non-toxic, food-grade colorant that remains colorfast when wet or left in the sun.

    *The colorant (if applicable) and sand are natural products, and there may be natural variations in color. Finer sand particles may cling to skin, but should not stain skin and will wash off with soap and water.

Baha Play Sand is available in these colors:

ORDER ONLINE: Home Depot | Walmart | Amazon

Crafting with Calcean: Halloween Sand Decor

/ Calcean Minerals & Materials, LLC/
Crafting with Calcean: Halloween Sand Decor

It’s the week before Halloween, and you are hosting a party that needs a perfect centerpiece with some accent pieces. Or maybe you’re getting together with friends and want a fun craft for the kids. Perhaps you just want fresh, new decorations this year, but nothing too “tricky”…

Calcean’s got you covered.

Read More

Calcean achieves GreenCircle Biobased Content Certification for all products

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GADSDEN, Ala. – Calcean Minerals and Materials, LLC, a breakthrough renewable materials company headquartered in Gadsden, is pleased to announce its newest qualification in the category of sustainability: GreenCircle Biobased Content Certification.

 

Calcean manufactures biogenic oolitic aragonite, one of the world’s purest forms of the ocean’s naturally precipitated calcium carbonate. Not only is it renewable, but it also provides a number of performance benefits across a variety of industries including, but not limited to: glass, agriculture, play sand, landscaping sand, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals/nutraceuticals, paints, coatings, bioplastics, and nutrient remediation.

 

GreenCircle Certified, LLC, issued the certifications in May 2022 for each of Calcean’s oolitic aragonite products – SandyCal, OceanCal-U, and OceanCal-S. Each product has met GreenCircle’s independent, third-party evaluation to be certified for Biobased Content. This standard declares that the biobased content in each product is derived from renewable sources.

 

“GreenCircle provides valuable independent verification of sustainability claims that you can trust.”

GreenCircle is an internationally recognized third-party certification entity that provides independent verification that sustainability claims related to an organization’s products and operations are honest, valid, and verified.

 

“GreenCircle Certified, LLC was established to ensure specificity in third-party certification after encountering many unsubstantiated claims in the marketplace,” says Tad Radzinski, Certification Officer at GreenCircle . “As today’s consumers become more informed, there is an increasing demand for honesty and transparency from potential suppliers. Third-party certification demonstrates a product or operation is in compliance with its sustainability claim. GreenCircle certification helps establish brand integrity and develop consumer confidence, which is key to building your brand in the current marketplace.” 

 

To receive this certification, Calcean underwent a rigorous audit and assessment process, which included an audit of their bills of material, processes, and manufacturing site. Calcean will undergo annual recertification with GreenCircle as well as pursue additional certifications in the future.

 

“We are excited that our oolitic aragonite products have been certified by GreenCircle,” says Alyson Myers, Ph.D., VP of Business Development and Research of Calcean. “Sustainability is at the core of what we do at Calcean, providing a renewable calcium carbonate for a variety of industries. We chose GreenCircle because of their thorough audit and evaluation process and international recognition. By obtaining third-party certification from GreenCircle, we can effectively communicate to our customers that oolitic aragonite is a verified biobased material. Our customers can rest assured that these claims are fully substantiated and have been verified and certified by an independent third-party.”

 

Further, due to oolitic aragonite’s GreenCircle verified biobased content, oolitic aragonite can contribute to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) points, which is important for green buildings. All of Calcean’s products meet the requirements for LEED 4.1 Sourcing of Raw Materials: Biobased materials. The products are valued at 50 percent of cost multiplied by the biobased content.

 

As part of its certification, Calcean will be featured on GreenCircle Certified’s website as one of its Brands You Can Trust (Brands You Can Trust — GreenCircle Certified), marking Calcean as a standout company for sustainability.

 

“It is important to us to build trust with our customers by providing substantiation for our environmental claims, and GreenCircle provides the qualified independent verification needed to do so,” notes Dr. Myers.

 

In addition to GreenCircle’s Biobased Certification, Calcean has also obtained a third-party verified Life Cycle Analysis (ISO 14044) and a third-party verified Carbon Footprint Analysis (ISO 14067), which determined oolitic aragonite has a negative carbon footprint. This means it removes more carbon from the atmosphere than the harvesting emits. Calcean’s GreenCircle certification reflects positively on the steps the company is taking toward sustainability for multiple industries nationwide.

 

Certificates are available upon request.

For more information, including Calcean’s additional qualifications as a sustainable company, please contact inquiries@calcean.com.

Information on GreenCircle's certification process may be found at www.greencirclecertified.com.

 

About Calcean Minerals and Materials, LLC

Headquartered in Gadsden, AL, Calcean Minerals and Materials, LLC, processes oolitic aragonite – a biogenically renewable, high-performance mineral – for a wide range of end uses, including agriculture, calcium supplement, landscaping, aquaculture, glass, paint, and bioplastics.

Since 2014, Calcean’s mission has been to continuously change and improve the way we look at natural resources and their incorporation into familiar products and industries. Calcean works with its customers to develop long-term, sustainable solutions to their needs. Calcean has proven to be a worthy competitor in many industries, especially among environmentally conscious businesses. Calcean’s knowledge, research, development, and versatility increase the value it brings to any problem waiting to be solved.

For more information, please visit www.calcean.com.

 

Calcean’s GreenCircle Biobased Content Certified Products:

SandyCal: Raw or dried/screened oolitic aragonite in a granular form. SandyCal D/S products offered in various gradations depending on application.

OceanCal-U: Finely milled, untreated powdered aragonite offered in 3, 5, or 8 micron gradations (D50).

OceanCal-S: Finely milled, powdered aragonite that has been surface-treated. Also offered in 3, 5, or 8 micron gradations (D50).

 

For SDS/TDS on any product or further details, please email inquiries@calcean.com.

 

About GreenCircle Certified, LLC

GreenCircle is an internationally recognized, third-party certification entity providing independent verification of sustainability claims. GreenCircle is ISO 17065 compliant, following industry requirements for organizations certifying products, processes, and services. It is recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program as a recommended ecolabel for sustainable federal purchasing. GreenCircle is additionally recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense, United States Green Building Council (USGBC), Home Innovation Research Labs (HIRL) National Green Building Standard (NGBS), and the International Living Future Institute. Additional affiliations include HPDC, Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council, The Association of Plastic Recyclers, ASTM International, and GSA. In today's discerning market, third-party certification is a valuable asset in establishing brand integrity and developing consumer confidence.

For more information, please visit http://www.greencirclecertified.com/.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Alyson Myers, Ph.D., VP of Business Development & Research

Calcean Minerals and Materials, LLC

amyers@calcean.com

 

Haley Rodgers, Marketing/Design Specialist

Calcean Minerals and Materials, LLC

hrodgers@calcean.com

What's in Your Aquarium? Don't get caught buying fake oolitic aragonite!

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Keeping an aquarium is a fun hobby, whether you have a small goldfish tank or an elaborate marine tank. It can be as simple or as difficult as you make it. When you’re setting up your aquarium, one of your first and most important purchases is the substrate. Substrate is the layer of sand or gravel that you place at the bottom of your tank. Choosing the right substrate directly impacts the health of your tank. For example, in a freshwater tank, you would want to use a gravel or rock that won’t affect the pH of the tank. However, in a marine tank, there are options that will help you maintain a stable pH, without the addition of chemicals. The best substrate for this is oolitic aragonite. Coral sand can also be used, but it’s buffering capabilities aren’t as effective and it is usually unsustainably collected, and its collection can damage the reefs. 

Oolitic aragonite is a unique type of biogenic calcium carbonate. It naturally forms on the banks of The Bahamas on a sustainable and renewable basis. Due to its renewable nature, it is an environmentally responsible alternative. It has no harmful tar, impurities, or organics and is the ideal substrate for marine, reef, and cichlid aquariums. Oolitic aragonite has unsurpassed buffering capabilities and helps to maintain a natural pH balance of 8.2 without the constant addition of chemicals. One kg of aragonite also offers over 1 million sq. cm. of surface area providing a huge space for housing ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite reducing bacteria. It’s also the ideal grain size for reef tanks, fish tanks, plenum systems, and refugiums. Another benefit is its lack of silica, which helps to prevent diatom blooms in your tank. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better substrate for your marine, reef or cichlid tank. 

Unfortunately, however, there are many substrates out there that are all a bit of smoke and mirrors. They masquerade as oolitic aragonite, but under close inspection, they are either coral sand or just regular calcite sand. In order to reap all of oolitic aragonite’s benefits, you need real oolitic aragonite. Otherwise, you’re paying a premium for a substandard product that won’t perform the same as real oolitic aragonite. Fortunately, it’s quite easy to tell if what you are purchasing is indeed real oolitic aragonite. 

The easiest and quickest way to figure out if the product is indeed real aragonite is to look at the individual grains closely. Grains of oolitic aragonite are smooth and spherical. The word “oolitic” literally means egg-shaped. If the grains you are observing are rough and angular, this is likely just crushed shell or regular sand. It’s important to note that some aragonite substrates are a mix of oolitic aragonite and crushed shell. If you see a combination of spheres and angular crushed shell, this is likely a mix. It will provide the same benefits as purely oolitic aragonite since it still contains oolitic aragonite. The difference between them is simply aesthetic. 

Figure 1. Quick and easy way to determine if you have oolitic aragonite.

Figure 1. Quick and easy way to determine if you have oolitic aragonite.

Once we found out that there were some substrates masquerading as oolitic aragonite, we decided to take our analyses further. We went to the local pet store and bought a substrate that was labeled to contain “Bahamas Oolite Aragonite” to compare it to our oolitic aragonite that is sustainably harvested from The Bahamas. We had some remarkable findings!

Take a look at the below image of our oolitic aragonite compared to the other store-bought product labeled as oolitic aragonite. Do you see the round spheres in the image on the left? Those are oolitic aragonite grains – called “ooids.” Notice how the product on the right doesn’t have any round spheres and the grains are angular – that is simply regular sand and will provide none of the benefits discussed above. Unfortunately, the sand on the right is being sold as oolitic aragonite!

Figure 2. Comparison of Calcean’s Oolitic Aragonite to a common store-bought brand labeled as “Bahamas Oolite.” Calcean (Left). Store-Bought Brand (Right).

Figure 2. Comparison of Calcean’s Oolitic Aragonite to a common store-bought brand labeled as “Bahamas Oolite.” Calcean (Left). Store-Bought Brand (Right).

After our initial visual inspection showed that there were no ooids, we examined the material under our lab’s microscope. You’ll notice the difference between our oolitic aragonite and the other store-bought product. Calcean’s oolitic aragonite has distinct spherical grains (ooids) whereas the other store-bought brand has angular grains indicating that it is not oolitic aragonite.

Figure 3. Comparison of Calcean’s Oolitic Aragonite to a common store-bought brand labeled as “Bahamas Oolite.” Calcean (LEFT). Store-Bought Brand (RIGHT). Note the spherical grains on the LEFT compared to the angular grains on the RIGHT.

Figure 3. Comparison of Calcean’s Oolitic Aragonite to a common store-bought brand labeled as “Bahamas Oolite.” Calcean (LEFT). Store-Bought Brand (RIGHT). Note the spherical grains on the LEFT compared to the angular grains on the RIGHT.

We then took it a step further, conducting what is called the Feigl’s Solution test. This is a classic test used to determine whether a material is aragonite or calcite. When aragonite is exposed to the Feigl’s chemical solution, it will react and turn black immediately. It’s a quick and easy way to tell if what you have is aragonite. As you can see below, the store-bought “Bahamas Oolite Aragonite” is still white and our material turned black immediately. 

Figure 4. Results of the Feigl’s Solution Test. This test determines aragonite from calcite. Aragonite immediately turns black when exposed to the solution. Calcite remains white. Note that calcean’s OoLITIC ARAGONITE TURNED BLACK IMMEDIATELY INDICA…

Figure 4. Results of the Feigl’s Solution Test. This test determines aragonite from calcite. Aragonite immediately turns black when exposed to the solution. Calcite remains white. Note that calcean’s OoLITIC ARAGONITE TURNED BLACK IMMEDIATELY INDICATING IT IS INDEED ARAGONITE WHEREAS THE STORE-BOUGHT BRAND REMAINED WHITE INDICATING IT IS NOT ARAGONITE.

Another issue to look for is material that is sold wet. The packaging will make claims of live bacteria, but there are no more bacteria on wet material than there are on dry material. This means you’re spending money on water rather than actual substrate. We actually dried and measured the amount of water in a 20lb and 10lb bag of store-bought wet or “alive” substrate. There was 4lbs of water in the 20lb bag and 2lbs of water in the 10lb bag! When you buy dry material, you’re getting what you pay for: substrate. There’s no need to pay for water!

 We were dismayed to see that companies are fooling the public into buying a falsely-labeled material, foolitic fauxragonite if you will. At Calcean, we strive to provide the best and most consistent quality products. Oolitic aragonite has a number of benefits and is an excellent aquarium substrate, when what you have actually is oolitic aragonite! You don’t want to waste your money on fake aragonite and water. Be a diligent consumer and examine your substrates closely and confirm the source. We’re proud to say that we provide sustainably harvested REAL oolitic aragonite. 

Calcean &amp; Pisces usa’S REAL OOLITIC ARAGONITE PRODUCTS. soLD ON AMAZON &amp; CHEWY.

Calcean & Pisces usa’S REAL OOLITIC ARAGONITE PRODUCTS. soLD ON AMAZON & CHEWY.

Eggcellent Chicken Calcium is made of Aragonite!

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Chickens are no longer only seen on farms or in rural areas. They have become quite the common pet among both urban and rural families alike. Chickens are arguably one of the most useful pets, as they produce eggs! Many individuals are turning towards keeping their own chickens for eggs and have found they make pretty fun companions too. 

One important point that many new chicken-keepers may not know is how important calcium is for egg laying chickens. If a chicken does not have enough free calcium, she will produce eggs with thin, weak shells or eggs without any shell at all (called “rubber eggs”). In severe cases, she will pull calcium from her bones to sustain the calcium requirements for her eggs. This can lead to deformities and a deficiency that will require a long period of recovery – not something you want for your chickens! 

How can you tell if your chicken is not getting enough calcium? Take a look at your chicken’s eggs. Do you see dark patches on the shell? These are weak spots on the egg and are an indicator of a calcium deficiency. Is there no shell at all? This definitely means your chicken needs more calcium! 

However, keep in mind that young chicks do not need additional calcium as this can do more harm than good. Once they have molted, they are able to be supplied calcium. 

 There are different types of calcium on the market for chickens. One of which is oyster shell. Often times, chickens will selectively pick out and throw away the oyster shell in order to get to more grain – wasting your supplement and money. Oyster shell can also contain phosphorous, which is already abundant in the grain you feed your chickens. By adding more phosphorous, you may be at danger of upsetting the calcium-phosphorous ratio. Too much phosphorous causes the body to pull calcium not only from their egg production, but also their bones, beaks, and other critical areas. Lastly, many marketed products only contain a small amount of oyster shell and the rest is simply crushed limestone, which isn’t as effective and has a lower calcium content.

 Another method of supplying calcium is to feed your chickens their own eggshells. These need to be cleaned, sterilized, and crushed extremely fine. If they are not clean, health issues can occur. If they are not crushed beyond recognition, you could be inadvertently training your chicken to eat their own eggs! Not to mention, this is also time consuming. 

While oyster shell and eggshells have their benefits, oolitic aragonite surpasses both in terms of safety and quality of calcium. Oolitic aragonite has a unique morphology (or structure) compared to typical calcite/limestone. This unique structure means that oolitic aragonite has an extremely high surface area. Due to the high elemental calcium content (~42%) and high surface area, oolitic aragonite is the most highly bioavailable calcium supplement on the market. It is also phosphorous free and will not train your chickens to eat their own eggs. 

Oolitic aragonite is also preferred by chickens – they love it. They won’t toss the pieces away looking for grain like some do when fed oyster shell. Due to the high calcium bioavailability, stronger eggshell integrity has been reported and even larger eggs! Oolitic aragonite also has another benefit – it is sustainably sourced from a renewable resource. Both chickens and the environment love it! 

 

Testimonials 

Brie B., Alaska: “My chickens are enjoying the aragonite calcium which I feed to them as a free choice supplement.  They prefer it to oyster shell.  I think their shells are harder with the aragonite calcium than with the oyster shell.”

A.J., Alabama: “After adding aragonite to our chickens feed, we have noticed the eggs are larger and their shells are harder, which is always a good thing during handling and washing. Although production usually decreases in the winter, we are seeing production rates remaining consistent with summertime. We are one of the few in our area that are able to have enough eggs to sell through the winter.”

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Aragonite Calcium Feed

Fine: For Superior Calcium Uptake

Coarse: Calcium Supplement and Gizzard Digestive Aid

Where does your play sand come from?

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Chances are that your first answer is a home improvement store like Lowe’s or Home Depot. But where did it come from before you picked it up at the store? That is likely a question that many of us do not know the answer to. Most standard play sands on the market are from a quarry where large rocks are blasted from the earth and trucked away to be further crushed into a sand-like product. The sand grains are usually rough and angular to the touch after processing. This process is also energy intensive and has a large carbon footprint. 

Additionally, these rocks are usually silica or quartz based, which can be hazardous. Crystalline silica is a known carcinogen. It is respirable and can cause a dangerous condition called silicosis. Silicosis is the scarring of the lungs from inhaling silica which causes breathing problems. In California companies are required by law to label products that contain carcinogens. This is why you often see Proposition 65 warning labels on these sands. Does this really sound like something you want your child to play in? Unfortunately, this is the type of sand most home improvement stores sell. However, there are safe alternatives on the market. One of which is oolitic aragonite sand. 

Oolitic aragonite sand is a unique type of calcium carbonate that is naturally created on the banks of The Bahamas on a reoccurring basis. This makes it a renewable and sustainable resource. It looks very much like sand, but it is different. Oolitic Aragonite grains are naturally smooth and round in texture and contain no quartz or silica, whereas regular sand is rough in texture and is typically silica and quartz based. It’s also been dried and screened to ensure a uniform grain size and no dust, which is the only processing oolitic aragonite endures. Minimal processing means minimal dust and a minimal carbon footprint. It’s safe for both indoor and outdoor use. When moist, it’s perfect for building sandcastles. Oolitic aragonite is a non-toxic, safe, and environmentally friendly alternative to standard play sands that are on the market. 

In today’s day and age, it’s important to know where you are sourcing your everyday products. Sourcing from responsible and safe resources is valuable not only your own health, but for our planet’s health. Calcean is striving to provide that much needed positive alternative and to be a name that you can trust.  

Buy now on Amazon! Click below.

0.50 cu ft Baha Play Sand

0.20 cu ft Baha Play Sand

Colored Play Sand Options Now Available!

All natural, safe color that won’t leach when wet or come off on your hands and clothes. It will keep its vibrant color in all elements; sun, rain, snow etc.

Click below to see our colored play sand options!

0.20 cu ft Colored Baha Play Sand

Available in: Sunset Red, Aqua Blue, Orange Sherbet, Black Forest, and Onyx Black. More colors coming soon!

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Aragonite for Potted Plants

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Whether you have a small plant on your office desk, or multiple indoor plants that fill your living space, this week has been National Indoor Plant Week, and it's time to show them some love.

Give your plant some space to grow by introducing it to a larger pot and refreshing the soil.
When you add new soil, mix in some handfuls of granular SandyCal Oolitic Aragonite.

Aragonite immediately starts working in the soil to help plants by:

  • Improving soil biology, fortifying the soil

  • Helping fertilizer work to the best of its ability

  • Fostering good drainage when watering

  • Holding moisture for less frequent watering

  • Buffering pH in your potting soil or garden soil

  • Providing needed calcium to the roots for overall plant health

Aragonite has benefits over standard limes or calcium additives:

  • Aragonite requires fewer applications in lesser amounts to achieve desired results, saving costs

  • Aragonite is biogenic (made naturally in the ocean)

  • Aragonite is a renewable and sustainable mineral. It is not mined from the ground, harming the earth; rather, it continuously precipitates in the ocean.

  • Aragonite is highly pure and high in bioavailable calcium (~40% elemental calcium) that plants need to thrive

How much aragonite should you add to your potting soil?

Here’s a chart* to go by:

*P.S. It’s OK if you add a little more or a little less aragonite to your soil. Your plants will still thank you.

We followed these steps:

FILL your pot about halfway with soil.

ADD your measure of aragonite.

MIX using trowel (or by hand if you prefer).

PLACE plant(s) in pot.

ADD more soil and aragonite around the plant, mixing as you go, until the pot is full.

WATER when needed.

WATCH your plant thrive!

If you have specific questions while potting or re-potting your favorite plants, you can contact us by email at inquiries@calcean.com or drop us a line on any of our social media.

Happy National Indoor Plant Week, and “happy growing” with aragonite!

What is Oolitic Aragonite?

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Oolitic Aragonite: Nature’s Renewable Sand from the Ocean

            Beneath the gin clear waters of The Bahamian banks lies a unique mineral that looks much like sand but is unlike the sands on the beaches of Florida or California. This unique mineral is called Oolitic Aragonite. It is a distinct type of Calcium Carbonate and while it has the same chemical make-up, it looks different under a microscope providing it some irreplaceable advantages. Most calcium carbonates look like building blocks under a microscope, however, oolitic aragonite looks like lots of interlaced needles. This affords aragonite many advantages, such as a higher surface area. The average person interacts with calcium carbonate daily as it is extremely versatile and as such, is used in many different applications.  It is found in your toothpaste, your antacids, as a filler in many of your plastic products, your morning orange juice, your morning newspaper, the carpet under your feet, and even in the car that you drive to work.   However, the calcium carbonate used in these applications is sourced from non-renewable resources: mines all over the USA, ranging from Florida to Idaho. This type of calcium carbonate mining is energy intensive, has a large carbon footprint, and is not sustainable. However, there is an alternative that is environmentally responsible: oolitic aragonite. Oolitic aragonite naturally pulls carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during its formation and is a renewable resource. 

            Oolitic aragonite is biogenic meaning that it is produced by living organisms. It naturally forms during events called ‘whitings.’ Whitings can be seen in satellite imagery as wispy white clouds in the water. At first, researchers believed these to be caused by schooling fish disturbing the sandy bottom. However, it was found to be an event where oolitic aragonite forms. Blooms of phytoplankton (microscopic plant organisms) seasonally move over the shallow banks of The Bahamas. As the phytoplankton convert the sun’s rays into energy, carbon dioxide is pulled from the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide then binds to the calcium in the water, creating a calcium carbonate known as oolitic aragonite. The white clouds in the water are actually oolitic aragonite forming. Oolitic aragonite is one of the world’s only biogenic and naturally precipitated calcium carbonates and happens extensively in The Bahamas. These whitings events happen bi-annually, constantly replenishing the oolitic aragonite deposits. The oolitic aragonite reserves on The Bahamas banks are estimated to contain 50 to 100 billion metric tons. The estimated annual renewal rate is 14 to 120 million metric tons per year. Carbon dating, a common method for determining the age of something, showed that much of the material is new, having been created in the past 3 to 5 years. Oolitic aragonite is truly a renewable resource. 

            Now, more than ever, is the time to focus on environmentally responsible alternatives. Oolitic aragonite is biogenic, renewable, and sustainable. Ethically and sustainably harvested, oolitic aragonite provides an environmentally responsible alternative to other calcium carbonates. There are some key markets that oolitic aragonite is a great contender in ranging from aquarium sand to agriculture. Consumers and companies alike should be aware of their options so that they can make the responsible decision. 

Aquarium

            Oolitic aragonite is a perfect substrate for marine and cichlid aquariums because it naturally buffers the pH. Unfortunately, many brands in the aquarium market claim to be aragonite but are actually just crushed limestone from the land-based mines. There are also some brands that do not have the correct approvals to harvest aragonite, meaning your tank may have illegally harvested substrate in it. Always double check your aragonite and its source. Ask companies where they source their aragonite. You’re missing out on the many benefits of aragonite by purchasing limestone that is falsely labeled, shorting yourself and shorting the environment. 

Play Sand

            Oolitic aragonite is also a great eco-friendly option for play sand. Many play sand brands currently on the market are sourced from silica based sands. Silica exposure has been linked to silicosis, a dangerous respiratory disease. Play sand should be safe for children to play in and unfortunately, most standard sands on the market are unsafe. Oolitic aragonite is silica free, quartz free, and dust free. It is also smooth and round in structure, whereas other sands are rough in texture. It’s perfect for building sandcastles and can safely be used both indoors and outdoors. When sourcing play sand for your children, it is important to consider not only their safety, but also the texture and quality of the sand. Oolitic aragonite is the perfect alternative to standard sands. If used outdoors, it can also help your garden. 

Agriculture

            Agriculture is another area where oolitic aragonite shines as a superior environmentally friendly alternative. It is a great soil enhancement and chicken feed additive. Oolitic aragonite contains approximately 40% elemental calcium and beneficial amino acids, providing much needed calcium in an efficient bio-deliverable means to both plants and egg-laying hens. It also holds nutrients in the soil where they belong, preventing leaching into the environment. It’s also easy to add to your garden or spread on your crops. 

Plastics

            In ground and coated form, oolitic aragonite can be used as fillers for plastics. This represents another great opportunity to help the environment through reduction of carbon footprint by reducing the amount of hydrocarbon based plastics consumed.  In compostable bioplastic products the oolitic aragonite, with its high PH buffer, may act as a neutralizing agent to acidic polymers such as PLA and its base form of lactic acid when material degrades.  Its unique crystalline shape will enhance physical properties such as stiffness, impact, and heat distortion temperatures. Studies are also being done as to the effectiveness as a nucleating agent when compared to talc as its unique shape offers plenty of nucleating sites as compared to the spherical shape of mined calcium carbonate.  In plastics applications use of this mineral may not only reduce your compound or plastics costs, but you may also get many additional added benefits such as those just described, all while contributing to your sustainability initiatives.

            These are just a handful of the applications in which oolitic aragonite can be used as an environmentally responsible alternative. This blog will be the place to read more about all the different applications oolitic aragonite can be used in. The next time you are out shopping for your fish tank, your children, or your garden, ask questions and make sure you are purchasing real oolitic aragonite from a reputable source.