diff --git a/stores/accounts.go b/stores/accounts.go
index 523ba2697..183582b8b 100644
--- a/stores/accounts.go
+++ b/stores/accounts.go
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import (
 
 // Accounts returns all accounts from the db.
 func (s *SQLStore) Accounts(ctx context.Context) (accounts []api.Account, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		accounts, err = tx.Accounts(ctx)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) Accounts(ctx context.Context) (accounts []api.Account, err er
 // sync all accounts after an unclean shutdown and the bus will know not to
 // apply drift.
 func (s *SQLStore) SetUncleanShutdown(ctx context.Context) error {
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.SetUncleanShutdown(ctx)
 	})
 }
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) SetUncleanShutdown(ctx context.Context) error {
 // SaveAccounts saves the given accounts in the db, overwriting any existing
 // ones.
 func (s *SQLStore) SaveAccounts(ctx context.Context, accounts []api.Account) error {
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.SaveAccounts(ctx, accounts)
 	})
 }
diff --git a/stores/autopilot.go b/stores/autopilot.go
index 45b899576..9c557c3d7 100644
--- a/stores/autopilot.go
+++ b/stores/autopilot.go
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func (s *SQLStore) Autopilots(ctx context.Context) (aps []api.Autopilot, _ error) {
-	err := s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+	err := s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 		aps, err = tx.Autopilots(ctx)
 		return
 	})
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) Autopilots(ctx context.Context) (aps []api.Autopilot, _ error
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) Autopilot(ctx context.Context, id string) (ap api.Autopilot, _ error) {
-	err := s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+	err := s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 		ap, err = tx.Autopilot(ctx, id)
 		return
 	})
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) UpdateAutopilot(ctx context.Context, ap api.Autopilot) error
 	if err := ap.Config.Validate(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.UpdateAutopilot(ctx, ap)
 	})
 }
diff --git a/stores/chain.go b/stores/chain.go
index 049d9843c..06710ae4e 100644
--- a/stores/chain.go
+++ b/stores/chain.go
@@ -14,25 +14,18 @@ var (
 )
 
 // ChainIndex returns the last stored chain index.
-func (ss *SQLStore) ChainIndex(ctx context.Context) (types.ChainIndex, error) {
-	var ci dbConsensusInfo
-	if err := ss.db.
-		WithContext(ctx).
-		Where(&dbConsensusInfo{Model: Model{ID: consensusInfoID}}).
-		FirstOrCreate(&ci).
-		Error; err != nil {
-		return types.ChainIndex{}, err
-	}
-	return types.ChainIndex{
-		Height: ci.Height,
-		ID:     types.BlockID(ci.BlockID),
-	}, nil
+func (s *SQLStore) ChainIndex(ctx context.Context) (ci types.ChainIndex, err error) {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+		ci, err = tx.Tip(ctx)
+		return err
+	})
+	return
 }
 
 // ProcessChainUpdate returns a callback function that process a chain update
 // inside a transaction.
 func (s *SQLStore) ProcessChainUpdate(ctx context.Context, applyFn chain.ApplyChainUpdateFn) error {
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.ProcessChainUpdate(ctx, applyFn)
 	})
 }
@@ -46,7 +39,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) UpdateChainState(reverted []chain.RevertUpdate, applied []cha
 
 // ResetChainState deletes all chain data in the database.
 func (s *SQLStore) ResetChainState(ctx context.Context) error {
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.ResetChainState(ctx)
 	})
 }
diff --git a/stores/hostdb.go b/stores/hostdb.go
index f13eb2534..452ee6acd 100644
--- a/stores/hostdb.go
+++ b/stores/hostdb.go
@@ -17,12 +17,6 @@ import (
 	"gorm.io/gorm/clause"
 )
 
-const (
-	// consensusInfoID defines the primary key of the entry in the consensusInfo
-	// table.
-	consensusInfoID = 1
-)
-
 var (
 	ErrNegativeMaxDowntime = errors.New("max downtime can not be negative")
 )
@@ -120,12 +114,6 @@ type (
 		Hosts []dbHost `gorm:"many2many:host_blocklist_entry_hosts;constraint:OnDelete:CASCADE"`
 	}
 
-	dbConsensusInfo struct {
-		Model
-		Height  uint64
-		BlockID hash256
-	}
-
 	// dbAnnouncement is a table used for storing all announcements. It
 	// doesn't have any relations to dbHost which means it won't
 	// automatically prune when a host is deleted.
@@ -151,9 +139,6 @@ type (
 // TableName implements the gorm.Tabler interface.
 func (dbAnnouncement) TableName() string { return "host_announcements" }
 
-// TableName implements the gorm.Tabler interface.
-func (dbConsensusInfo) TableName() string { return "consensus_infos" }
-
 // TableName implements the gorm.Tabler interface.
 func (dbHost) TableName() string { return "hosts" }
 
@@ -271,8 +256,8 @@ func (e *dbBlocklistEntry) blocks(h dbHost) bool {
 }
 
 // Host returns information about a host.
-func (ss *SQLStore) Host(ctx context.Context, hostKey types.PublicKey) (api.Host, error) {
-	hosts, err := ss.SearchHosts(ctx, "", api.HostFilterModeAll, api.UsabilityFilterModeAll, "", []types.PublicKey{hostKey}, 0, 1)
+func (s *SQLStore) Host(ctx context.Context, hostKey types.PublicKey) (api.Host, error) {
+	hosts, err := s.SearchHosts(ctx, "", api.HostFilterModeAll, api.UsabilityFilterModeAll, "", []types.PublicKey{hostKey}, 0, 1)
 	if err != nil {
 		return api.Host{}, err
 	} else if len(hosts) == 0 {
@@ -282,15 +267,15 @@ func (ss *SQLStore) Host(ctx context.Context, hostKey types.PublicKey) (api.Host
 	}
 }
 
-func (ss *SQLStore) UpdateHostCheck(ctx context.Context, autopilotID string, hk types.PublicKey, hc api.HostCheck) (err error) {
-	return ss.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+func (s *SQLStore) UpdateHostCheck(ctx context.Context, autopilotID string, hk types.PublicKey, hc api.HostCheck) (err error) {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.UpdateHostCheck(ctx, autopilotID, hk, hc)
 	})
 }
 
 // HostsForScanning returns the address of hosts for scanning.
-func (ss *SQLStore) HostsForScanning(ctx context.Context, maxLastScan time.Time, offset, limit int) (hosts []api.HostAddress, err error) {
-	err = ss.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+func (s *SQLStore) HostsForScanning(ctx context.Context, maxLastScan time.Time, offset, limit int) (hosts []api.HostAddress, err error) {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		hosts, err = tx.HostsForScanning(ctx, maxLastScan, offset, limit)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -306,9 +291,9 @@ func (s *SQLStore) ResetLostSectors(ctx context.Context, hk types.PublicKey) err
 	})
 }
 
-func (ss *SQLStore) SearchHosts(ctx context.Context, autopilotID, filterMode, usabilityMode, addressContains string, keyIn []types.PublicKey, offset, limit int) ([]api.Host, error) {
+func (s *SQLStore) SearchHosts(ctx context.Context, autopilotID, filterMode, usabilityMode, addressContains string, keyIn []types.PublicKey, offset, limit int) ([]api.Host, error) {
 	var hosts []api.Host
-	err := ss.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+	err := s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 		hosts, err = tx.SearchHosts(ctx, autopilotID, filterMode, usabilityMode, addressContains, keyIn, offset, limit)
 		return
 	})
@@ -316,16 +301,16 @@ func (ss *SQLStore) SearchHosts(ctx context.Context, autopilotID, filterMode, us
 }
 
 // Hosts returns non-blocked hosts at given offset and limit.
-func (ss *SQLStore) Hosts(ctx context.Context, offset, limit int) ([]api.Host, error) {
-	return ss.SearchHosts(ctx, "", api.HostFilterModeAllowed, api.UsabilityFilterModeAll, "", nil, offset, limit)
+func (s *SQLStore) Hosts(ctx context.Context, offset, limit int) ([]api.Host, error) {
+	return s.SearchHosts(ctx, "", api.HostFilterModeAllowed, api.UsabilityFilterModeAll, "", nil, offset, limit)
 }
 
-func (ss *SQLStore) RemoveOfflineHosts(ctx context.Context, minRecentFailures uint64, maxDowntime time.Duration) (removed uint64, err error) {
+func (s *SQLStore) RemoveOfflineHosts(ctx context.Context, minRecentFailures uint64, maxDowntime time.Duration) (removed uint64, err error) {
 	// sanity check 'maxDowntime'
 	if maxDowntime < 0 {
 		return 0, ErrNegativeMaxDowntime
 	}
-	err = ss.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		n, err := tx.RemoveOfflineHosts(ctx, minRecentFailures, maxDowntime)
 		removed = uint64(n)
 		return err
@@ -333,50 +318,50 @@ func (ss *SQLStore) RemoveOfflineHosts(ctx context.Context, minRecentFailures ui
 	return
 }
 
-func (ss *SQLStore) UpdateHostAllowlistEntries(ctx context.Context, add, remove []types.PublicKey, clear bool) (err error) {
+func (s *SQLStore) UpdateHostAllowlistEntries(ctx context.Context, add, remove []types.PublicKey, clear bool) (err error) {
 	// nothing to do
 	if len(add)+len(remove) == 0 && !clear {
 		return nil
 	}
-	return ss.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.UpdateHostAllowlistEntries(ctx, add, remove, clear)
 	})
 }
 
-func (ss *SQLStore) UpdateHostBlocklistEntries(ctx context.Context, add, remove []string, clear bool) (err error) {
+func (s *SQLStore) UpdateHostBlocklistEntries(ctx context.Context, add, remove []string, clear bool) (err error) {
 	// nothing to do
 	if len(add)+len(remove) == 0 && !clear {
 		return nil
 	}
-	return ss.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.UpdateHostBlocklistEntries(ctx, add, remove, clear)
 	})
 }
 
-func (ss *SQLStore) HostAllowlist(ctx context.Context) (allowlist []types.PublicKey, err error) {
-	err = ss.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+func (s *SQLStore) HostAllowlist(ctx context.Context) (allowlist []types.PublicKey, err error) {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		allowlist, err = tx.HostAllowlist(ctx)
 		return err
 	})
 	return
 }
 
-func (ss *SQLStore) HostBlocklist(ctx context.Context) (blocklist []string, err error) {
-	err = ss.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+func (s *SQLStore) HostBlocklist(ctx context.Context) (blocklist []string, err error) {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		blocklist, err = tx.HostBlocklist(ctx)
 		return err
 	})
 	return
 }
 
-func (ss *SQLStore) RecordHostScans(ctx context.Context, scans []api.HostScan) error {
-	return ss.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+func (s *SQLStore) RecordHostScans(ctx context.Context, scans []api.HostScan) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.RecordHostScans(ctx, scans)
 	})
 }
 
-func (ss *SQLStore) RecordPriceTables(ctx context.Context, priceTableUpdate []api.HostPriceTableUpdate) error {
-	return ss.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+func (s *SQLStore) RecordPriceTables(ctx context.Context, priceTableUpdate []api.HostPriceTableUpdate) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.RecordPriceTables(ctx, priceTableUpdate)
 	})
 }
diff --git a/stores/hostdb_test.go b/stores/hostdb_test.go
index aa1b537e0..5947fdb6e 100644
--- a/stores/hostdb_test.go
+++ b/stores/hostdb_test.go
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ func TestSQLHostDB(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Fetch the host
 	var h dbHost
-	tx := ss.db.Where("net_address = ?", "address").Find(&h)
+	tx := ss.gormDB.Where("net_address = ?", "address").Find(&h)
 	if tx.Error != nil {
 		t.Fatal(tx.Error)
 	} else if types.PublicKey(h.PublicKey) != hk {
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ func TestSearchHosts(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// assert there are currently 3 checks
 	var cnt int64
-	err = ss.db.Model(&dbHostCheck{}).Count(&cnt).Error
+	err = ss.gormDB.Model(&dbHostCheck{}).Count(&cnt).Error
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if cnt != 3 {
@@ -397,11 +397,11 @@ func TestSearchHosts(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// assert cascade delete on host
-	err = ss.db.Exec("DELETE FROM hosts WHERE public_key = ?", publicKey(types.PublicKey{1})).Error
+	err = ss.gormDB.Exec("DELETE FROM hosts WHERE public_key = ?", publicKey(types.PublicKey{1})).Error
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	err = ss.db.Model(&dbHostCheck{}).Count(&cnt).Error
+	err = ss.gormDB.Model(&dbHostCheck{}).Count(&cnt).Error
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if cnt != 2 {
@@ -409,11 +409,11 @@ func TestSearchHosts(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// assert cascade delete on autopilot
-	err = ss.db.Exec("DELETE FROM autopilots WHERE identifier IN (?,?)", ap1, ap2).Error
+	err = ss.gormDB.Exec("DELETE FROM autopilots WHERE identifier IN (?,?)", ap1, ap2).Error
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	err = ss.db.Model(&dbHostCheck{}).Count(&cnt).Error
+	err = ss.gormDB.Model(&dbHostCheck{}).Count(&cnt).Error
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if cnt != 0 {
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ func TestRecordScan(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Fetch the host directly to get the creation time.
-	h, err := hostByPubKey(ss.db, hk)
+	h, err := hostByPubKey(ss.gormDB, hk)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -589,11 +589,11 @@ func TestInsertAnnouncements(t *testing.T) {
 	ann3 := newTestAnnouncement(types.GeneratePrivateKey().PublicKey(), "")
 
 	// Insert the first one and check that all fields are set.
-	if err := insertAnnouncements(ss.db, []announcement{ann1}); err != nil {
+	if err := insertAnnouncements(ss.gormDB, []announcement{ann1}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	var ann dbAnnouncement
-	if err := ss.db.Find(&ann).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Find(&ann).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	ann.Model = Model{} // ignore
@@ -607,12 +607,12 @@ func TestInsertAnnouncements(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("mismatch", cmp.Diff(ann, expectedAnn))
 	}
 	// Insert the first and second one.
-	if err := insertAnnouncements(ss.db, []announcement{ann1, ann2}); err != nil {
+	if err := insertAnnouncements(ss.gormDB, []announcement{ann1, ann2}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
 	// Insert the first one twice. The second one again and the third one.
-	if err := insertAnnouncements(ss.db, []announcement{ann1, ann2, ann1, ann3}); err != nil {
+	if err := insertAnnouncements(ss.gormDB, []announcement{ann1, ann2, ann1, ann3}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
@@ -627,7 +627,7 @@ func TestInsertAnnouncements(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// There should be 7 announcements total.
 	var announcements []dbAnnouncement
-	if err := ss.db.Find(&announcements).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Find(&announcements).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if len(announcements) != 7 {
@@ -644,7 +644,7 @@ func TestInsertAnnouncements(t *testing.T) {
 	// Insert multiple announcements for host 1 - this asserts that the UNIQUE
 	// constraint on the blocklist table isn't triggered when inserting multiple
 	// announcements for a host that's on the blocklist
-	if err := insertAnnouncements(ss.db, []announcement{ann1, ann1}); err != nil {
+	if err := insertAnnouncements(ss.gormDB, []announcement{ann1, ann1}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 }
@@ -661,7 +661,7 @@ func TestRemoveHosts(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// fetch the host and assert the recent downtime is zero
-	h, err := hostByPubKey(ss.db, hk)
+	h, err := hostByPubKey(ss.gormDB, hk)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -691,7 +691,7 @@ func TestRemoveHosts(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// fetch the host and assert the recent downtime is 30 minutes and he has 2 recent scan failures
-	h, err = hostByPubKey(ss.db, hk)
+	h, err = hostByPubKey(ss.gormDB, hk)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -746,7 +746,7 @@ func TestRemoveHosts(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// assert host is removed from the database
-	if _, err = hostByPubKey(ss.db, hk); err != gorm.ErrRecordNotFound {
+	if _, err = hostByPubKey(ss.gormDB, hk); err != gorm.ErrRecordNotFound {
 		t.Fatal("expected record not found error")
 	}
 }
@@ -777,7 +777,7 @@ func TestSQLHostAllowlist(t *testing.T) {
 
 	numRelations := func() (cnt int64) {
 		t.Helper()
-		err := ss.db.Table("host_allowlist_entry_hosts").Count(&cnt).Error
+		err := ss.gormDB.Table("host_allowlist_entry_hosts").Count(&cnt).Error
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -883,7 +883,7 @@ func TestSQLHostAllowlist(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// remove host 1
-	if err = ss.db.Model(&dbHost{}).Where(&dbHost{PublicKey: publicKey(hk1)}).Delete(&dbHost{}).Error; err != nil {
+	if err = ss.gormDB.Model(&dbHost{}).Where(&dbHost{PublicKey: publicKey(hk1)}).Delete(&dbHost{}).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if numHosts() != 0 {
@@ -949,7 +949,7 @@ func TestSQLHostBlocklist(t *testing.T) {
 
 	numAllowlistRelations := func() (cnt int64) {
 		t.Helper()
-		err := ss.db.Table("host_allowlist_entry_hosts").Count(&cnt).Error
+		err := ss.gormDB.Table("host_allowlist_entry_hosts").Count(&cnt).Error
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -958,7 +958,7 @@ func TestSQLHostBlocklist(t *testing.T) {
 
 	numBlocklistRelations := func() (cnt int64) {
 		t.Helper()
-		err := ss.db.Table("host_blocklist_entry_hosts").Count(&cnt).Error
+		err := ss.gormDB.Table("host_blocklist_entry_hosts").Count(&cnt).Error
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
@@ -1067,7 +1067,7 @@ func TestSQLHostBlocklist(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// delete host 2 and assert the delete cascaded properly
-	if err = ss.db.Model(&dbHost{}).Where(&dbHost{PublicKey: publicKey(hk2)}).Delete(&dbHost{}).Error; err != nil {
+	if err = ss.gormDB.Model(&dbHost{}).Where(&dbHost{PublicKey: publicKey(hk2)}).Delete(&dbHost{}).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if numHosts() != 2 {
@@ -1234,7 +1234,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) addCustomTestHost(hk types.PublicKey, na string) error {
 	}
 
 	// fetch blocklists
-	allowlist, blocklist, err := getBlocklists(s.db)
+	allowlist, blocklist, err := getBlocklists(s.gormDB)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -1246,7 +1246,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) addCustomTestHost(hk types.PublicKey, na string) error {
 			dbAllowlist = append(dbAllowlist, entry)
 		}
 	}
-	if err := s.db.Model(&host).Association("Allowlist").Replace(&dbAllowlist); err != nil {
+	if err := s.gormDB.Model(&host).Association("Allowlist").Replace(&dbAllowlist); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -1257,21 +1257,21 @@ func (s *SQLStore) addCustomTestHost(hk types.PublicKey, na string) error {
 			dbBlocklist = append(dbBlocklist, entry)
 		}
 	}
-	return s.db.Model(&host).Association("Blocklist").Replace(&dbBlocklist)
+	return s.gormDB.Model(&host).Association("Blocklist").Replace(&dbBlocklist)
 }
 
 // announceHost adds a host announcement to the database.
 func (s *SQLStore) announceHost(hk types.PublicKey, na string) (host dbHost, err error) {
-	err = s.db.Transaction(func(tx *gorm.DB) error {
+	err = s.gormDB.Transaction(func(tx *gorm.DB) error {
 		host = dbHost{
 			PublicKey:        publicKey(hk),
 			LastAnnouncement: time.Now().UTC().Round(time.Second),
 			NetAddress:       na,
 		}
-		if err := s.db.Create(&host).Error; err != nil {
+		if err := s.gormDB.Create(&host).Error; err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		return s.db.Create(&dbAnnouncement{
+		return s.gormDB.Create(&dbAnnouncement{
 			HostKey:     publicKey(hk),
 			BlockHeight: 42,
 			BlockID:     types.BlockID{1, 2, 3}.String(),
@@ -1285,7 +1285,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) announceHost(hk types.PublicKey, na string) (host dbHost, err
 // interactions for all hosts is expensive in production.
 func (db *SQLStore) hosts() ([]dbHost, error) {
 	var hosts []dbHost
-	tx := db.db.Find(&hosts)
+	tx := db.gormDB.Find(&hosts)
 	if tx.Error != nil {
 		return nil, tx.Error
 	}
diff --git a/stores/metadata.go b/stores/metadata.go
index fbbbb0450..1f3cac17a 100644
--- a/stores/metadata.go
+++ b/stores/metadata.go
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ func (raw rawObject) toSlabSlice() (slice object.SlabSlice, _ error) {
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) Bucket(ctx context.Context, bucket string) (b api.Bucket, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 		b, err = tx.Bucket(ctx, bucket)
 		return
 	})
@@ -431,25 +431,25 @@ func (s *SQLStore) Bucket(ctx context.Context, bucket string) (b api.Bucket, err
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) CreateBucket(ctx context.Context, bucket string, policy api.BucketPolicy) error {
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.CreateBucket(ctx, bucket, policy)
 	})
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) UpdateBucketPolicy(ctx context.Context, bucket string, policy api.BucketPolicy) error {
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.UpdateBucketPolicy(ctx, bucket, policy)
 	})
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) DeleteBucket(ctx context.Context, bucket string) error {
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.DeleteBucket(ctx, bucket)
 	})
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) ListBuckets(ctx context.Context) (buckets []api.Bucket, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 		buckets, err = tx.ListBuckets(ctx)
 		return
 	})
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) ListBuckets(ctx context.Context) (buckets []api.Bucket, err e
 // reduce locking and make sure all results are consistent, everything is done
 // within a single transaction.
 func (s *SQLStore) ObjectsStats(ctx context.Context, opts api.ObjectsStatsOpts) (resp api.ObjectsStatsResponse, _ error) {
-	err := s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+	err := s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 		resp, err = tx.ObjectsStats(ctx, opts)
 		return
 	})
@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) ObjectsStats(ctx context.Context, opts api.ObjectsStatsOpts)
 func (s *SQLStore) SlabBuffers(ctx context.Context) ([]api.SlabBuffer, error) {
 	var err error
 	var fileNameToContractSet map[string]string
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		fileNameToContractSet, err = tx.SlabBuffers(ctx)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -488,7 +488,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) SlabBuffers(ctx context.Context) ([]api.SlabBuffer, error) {
 
 func (s *SQLStore) AddContract(ctx context.Context, c rhpv2.ContractRevision, contractPrice, totalCost types.Currency, startHeight uint64, state string) (_ api.ContractMetadata, err error) {
 	var contract api.ContractMetadata
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		contract, err = tx.InsertContract(ctx, c, contractPrice, totalCost, startHeight, types.FileContractID{}, state)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -501,7 +501,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) AddContract(ctx context.Context, c rhpv2.ContractRevision, co
 
 func (s *SQLStore) Contracts(ctx context.Context, opts api.ContractsOpts) ([]api.ContractMetadata, error) {
 	var contracts []api.ContractMetadata
-	err := s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+	err := s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 		contracts, err = tx.Contracts(ctx, opts)
 		return
 	})
@@ -513,7 +513,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) Contracts(ctx context.Context, opts api.ContractsOpts) ([]api
 // contracts and moved to the archive. Both new and old contract will be linked
 // to each other through the RenewedFrom and RenewedTo fields respectively.
 func (s *SQLStore) AddRenewedContract(ctx context.Context, c rhpv2.ContractRevision, contractPrice, totalCost types.Currency, startHeight uint64, renewedFrom types.FileContractID, state string) (renewed api.ContractMetadata, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		renewed, err = tx.RenewContract(ctx, c, contractPrice, totalCost, startHeight, renewedFrom, state)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -524,7 +524,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) AddRenewedContract(ctx context.Context, c rhpv2.ContractRevis
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) AncestorContracts(ctx context.Context, id types.FileContractID, startHeight uint64) (ancestors []api.ArchivedContract, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		ancestors, err = tx.AncestorContracts(ctx, id, startHeight)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -549,7 +549,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) ArchiveContracts(ctx context.Context, toArchive map[types.Fil
 
 		// archive the contract but don't interrupt the process if one contract
 		// fails
-		if err := s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+		if err := s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 			return tx.ArchiveContract(ctx, fcid, reason)
 		}); err != nil {
 			errs = append(errs, fmt.Sprintf("%v: %v", fcid, err))
@@ -575,7 +575,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) ArchiveAllContracts(ctx context.Context, reason string) error
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) Contract(ctx context.Context, id types.FileContractID) (cm api.ContractMetadata, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		cm, err = tx.Contract(ctx, id)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -583,7 +583,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) Contract(ctx context.Context, id types.FileContractID) (cm ap
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) ContractRoots(ctx context.Context, id types.FileContractID) (roots []types.Hash256, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		roots, err = tx.ContractRoots(ctx, id)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -591,7 +591,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) ContractRoots(ctx context.Context, id types.FileContractID) (
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) ContractSets(ctx context.Context) (sets []string, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		sets, err = tx.ContractSets(ctx)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -599,7 +599,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) ContractSets(ctx context.Context) (sets []string, err error)
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) ContractSizes(ctx context.Context) (sizes map[types.FileContractID]api.ContractSize, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		sizes, err = tx.ContractSizes(ctx)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -607,7 +607,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) ContractSizes(ctx context.Context) (sizes map[types.FileContr
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) ContractSize(ctx context.Context, id types.FileContractID) (cs api.ContractSize, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 		cs, err = tx.ContractSize(ctx, id)
 		return
 	})
@@ -691,13 +691,13 @@ func (s *SQLStore) SetContractSet(ctx context.Context, name string, contractIds
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) RemoveContractSet(ctx context.Context, name string) error {
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.RemoveContractSet(ctx, name)
 	})
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) RenewedContract(ctx context.Context, renewedFrom types.FileContractID) (cm api.ContractMetadata, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		cm, err = tx.RenewedContract(ctx, renewedFrom)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -705,7 +705,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) RenewedContract(ctx context.Context, renewedFrom types.FileCo
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) SearchObjects(ctx context.Context, bucket, substring string, offset, limit int) (objects []api.ObjectMetadata, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		objects, err = tx.SearchObjects(ctx, bucket, substring, offset, limit)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -713,7 +713,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) SearchObjects(ctx context.Context, bucket, substring string,
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) ObjectEntries(ctx context.Context, bucket, path, prefix, sortBy, sortDir, marker string, offset, limit int) (metadata []api.ObjectMetadata, hasMore bool, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		metadata, hasMore, err = tx.ObjectEntries(ctx, bucket, path, prefix, sortBy, sortDir, marker, offset, limit)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -850,7 +850,7 @@ func fetchUsedContracts(tx *gorm.DB, usedContractsByHost map[types.PublicKey]map
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) RenameObject(ctx context.Context, bucket, keyOld, keyNew string, force bool) error {
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		// create new dir
 		dirID, err := tx.MakeDirsForPath(ctx, keyNew)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -868,7 +868,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) RenameObject(ctx context.Context, bucket, keyOld, keyNew stri
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) RenameObjects(ctx context.Context, bucket, prefixOld, prefixNew string, force bool) error {
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		// create new dir
 		dirID, err := tx.MakeDirsForPath(ctx, prefixNew)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -891,7 +891,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) AddPartialSlab(ctx context.Context, data []byte, minShards, t
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) CopyObject(ctx context.Context, srcBucket, dstBucket, srcPath, dstPath, mimeType string, metadata api.ObjectUserMetadata) (om api.ObjectMetadata, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		if srcBucket != dstBucket || srcPath != dstPath {
 			_, err = tx.DeleteObject(ctx, dstBucket, dstPath)
 			if err != nil {
@@ -905,7 +905,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) CopyObject(ctx context.Context, srcBucket, dstBucket, srcPath
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) DeleteHostSector(ctx context.Context, hk types.PublicKey, root types.Hash256) (deletedSectors int, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		deletedSectors, err = tx.DeleteHostSector(ctx, hk, root)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -925,7 +925,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) UpdateObject(ctx context.Context, bucket, path, contractSet,
 
 	// UpdateObject is ACID.
 	var prune bool
-	err := s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err := s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		// Try to delete. We want to get rid of the object and its slices if it
 		// exists.
 		//
@@ -966,7 +966,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) UpdateObject(ctx context.Context, bucket, path, contractSet,
 
 func (s *SQLStore) RemoveObject(ctx context.Context, bucket, path string) error {
 	var prune bool
-	err := s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+	err := s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 		prune, err = tx.DeleteObject(ctx, bucket, path)
 		return
 	})
@@ -986,7 +986,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) RemoveObjects(ctx context.Context, bucket, prefix string) err
 		start := time.Now()
 		var done bool
 		var duration time.Duration
-		if err := s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+		if err := s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 			deleted, err := tx.DeleteObjects(ctx, bucket, prefix, objectDeleteBatchSizes[batchSizeIdx])
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
@@ -1014,22 +1014,22 @@ func (s *SQLStore) RemoveObjects(ctx context.Context, bucket, prefix string) err
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) Slab(ctx context.Context, key object.EncryptionKey) (slab object.Slab, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		slab, err = tx.Slab(ctx, key)
 		return err
 	})
 	return
 }
 
-func (ss *SQLStore) UpdateSlab(ctx context.Context, s object.Slab, contractSet string) error {
+func (s *SQLStore) UpdateSlab(ctx context.Context, slab object.Slab, contractSet string) error {
 	// sanity check the shards don't contain an empty root
-	for _, s := range s.Shards {
-		if s.Root == (types.Hash256{}) {
+	for _, shard := range slab.Shards {
+		if shard.Root == (types.Hash256{}) {
 			return errors.New("shard root can never be the empty root")
 		}
 	}
 	// Sanity check input.
-	for i, shard := range s.Shards {
+	for i, shard := range slab.Shards {
 		// Verify that all hosts have a contract.
 		if len(shard.Contracts) == 0 {
 			return fmt.Errorf("missing hosts for slab %d", i)
@@ -1037,8 +1037,8 @@ func (ss *SQLStore) UpdateSlab(ctx context.Context, s object.Slab, contractSet s
 	}
 
 	// Update slab.
-	return ss.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
-		return tx.UpdateSlab(ctx, s, contractSet, s.Contracts())
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+		return tx.UpdateSlab(ctx, slab, contractSet, slab.Contracts())
 	})
 }
 
@@ -1046,7 +1046,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) RefreshHealth(ctx context.Context) error {
 	for {
 		// update slabs
 		var rowsAffected int64
-		err := s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+		err := s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 			rowsAffected, err = tx.UpdateSlabHealth(ctx, refreshHealthBatchSize, refreshHealthMinHealthValidity, refreshHealthMaxHealthValidity)
 			return
 		})
@@ -1200,7 +1200,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) objectHydrate(tx *gorm.DB, bucket, path string, obj rawObject
 
 // ObjectMetadata returns an object's metadata
 func (s *SQLStore) ObjectMetadata(ctx context.Context, bucket, path string) (obj api.Object, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		obj, err = tx.ObjectMetadata(ctx, bucket, path)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -1402,7 +1402,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) pruneSlabsLoop() {
 		pruneSuccess := true
 		for {
 			var deleted int64
-			err := s.bMain.Transaction(s.shutdownCtx, func(dt sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+			err := s.db.Transaction(s.shutdownCtx, func(dt sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 				var err error
 				deleted, err = dt.PruneSlabs(s.shutdownCtx, slabPruningBatchSize)
 				return err
@@ -1430,7 +1430,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) pruneSlabsLoop() {
 		}
 
 		// prune dirs
-		err := s.bMain.Transaction(s.shutdownCtx, func(dt sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+		err := s.db.Transaction(s.shutdownCtx, func(dt sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 			return dt.PruneEmptydirs(s.shutdownCtx)
 		})
 		if err != nil {
@@ -1469,7 +1469,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) triggerSlabPruning() {
 func (s *SQLStore) invalidateSlabHealthByFCID(ctx context.Context, fcids []types.FileContractID) error {
 	for {
 		var affected int64
-		err := s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+		err := s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 			affected, err = tx.InvalidateSlabHealthByFCID(ctx, fcids, refreshHealthBatchSize)
 			return
 		})
@@ -1486,7 +1486,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) invalidateSlabHealthByFCID(ctx context.Context, fcids []types
 // a delimiter for now (see backend.go) but it would be interesting to have
 // arbitrary 'delim' support in ListObjects.
 func (s *SQLStore) ListObjects(ctx context.Context, bucket, prefix, sortBy, sortDir, marker string, limit int) (resp api.ObjectsListResponse, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		resp, err = tx.ListObjects(ctx, bucket, prefix, sortBy, sortDir, marker, limit)
 		return err
 	})
diff --git a/stores/metadata_test.go b/stores/metadata_test.go
index 4dd1d84ec..a5ff944df 100644
--- a/stores/metadata_test.go
+++ b/stores/metadata_test.go
@@ -168,11 +168,11 @@ func TestObjectBasic(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// delete a sector
 	var sectors []dbSector
-	if err := ss.db.Find(&sectors).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Find(&sectors).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if len(sectors) != 2 {
 		t.Fatal("unexpected number of sectors")
-	} else if tx := ss.db.Delete(sectors[0]); tx.Error != nil || tx.RowsAffected != 1 {
+	} else if tx := ss.gormDB.Delete(sectors[0]); tx.Error != nil || tx.RowsAffected != 1 {
 		t.Fatal("unexpected number of sectors deleted", tx.Error, tx.RowsAffected)
 	}
 
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ func TestObjectMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// assert metadata CASCADE on object delete
 	var cnt int64
-	if err := ss.db.Model(&dbObjectUserMetadata{}).Count(&cnt).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbObjectUserMetadata{}).Count(&cnt).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if cnt != 2 {
 		t.Fatal("unexpected number of metadata entries", cnt)
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ func TestObjectMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// assert records are gone
-	if err := ss.db.Model(&dbObjectUserMetadata{}).Count(&cnt).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbObjectUserMetadata{}).Count(&cnt).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if cnt != 0 {
 		t.Fatal("unexpected number of metadata entries", cnt)
@@ -462,7 +462,7 @@ func TestSQLContractStore(t *testing.T) {
 	// Make sure the db was cleaned up properly through the CASCADE delete.
 	tableCountCheck := func(table interface{}, tblCount int64) error {
 		var count int64
-		if err := ss.db.Model(table).Count(&count).Error; err != nil {
+		if err := ss.gormDB.Model(table).Count(&count).Error; err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 		if count != tblCount {
@@ -476,7 +476,7 @@ func TestSQLContractStore(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Check join table count as well.
 	var count int64
-	if err := ss.db.Table("contract_sectors").Count(&count).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Table("contract_sectors").Count(&count).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if count != 0 {
@@ -741,7 +741,7 @@ func TestRenewedContract(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Archived contract should exist.
 	var ac dbArchivedContract
-	err = ss.db.Model(&dbArchivedContract{}).
+	err = ss.gormDB.Model(&dbArchivedContract{}).
 		Where("fcid", fileContractID(fcid1)).
 		Take(&ac).
 		Error
@@ -905,7 +905,7 @@ func TestArchiveContracts(t *testing.T) {
 	ffcids[0] = fileContractID(fcids[1])
 	ffcids[1] = fileContractID(fcids[2])
 	var acs []dbArchivedContract
-	err = ss.db.Model(&dbArchivedContract{}).
+	err = ss.gormDB.Model(&dbArchivedContract{}).
 		Where("fcid IN (?)", ffcids).
 		Find(&acs).
 		Error
@@ -1243,7 +1243,7 @@ func TestSQLMetadataStore(t *testing.T) {
 	countCheck := func(objCount, sliceCount, slabCount, sectorCount int64) error {
 		tableCountCheck := func(table interface{}, tblCount int64) error {
 			var count int64
-			if err := ss.db.Model(table).Count(&count).Error; err != nil {
+			if err := ss.gormDB.Model(table).Count(&count).Error; err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 			if count != tblCount {
@@ -1486,7 +1486,7 @@ func TestObjectEntries(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// update health of objects to match the overridden health of the slabs
-	if err := updateAllObjectsHealth(ss.db); err != nil {
+	if err := updateAllObjectsHealth(ss.gormDB); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal()
 	}
 
@@ -1921,7 +1921,7 @@ func TestUnhealthySlabsNoContracts(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if err := ss.db.Table("contract_sectors").Where("TRUE").Delete(&dbContractSector{}).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Table("contract_sectors").Where("TRUE").Delete(&dbContractSector{}).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
@@ -2060,7 +2060,7 @@ func TestContractSectors(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Check the join table. Should be empty.
 	var css []dbContractSector
-	if err := ss.db.Find(&css).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Find(&css).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if len(css) != 0 {
@@ -2084,10 +2084,10 @@ func TestContractSectors(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Delete the sector.
-	if err := ss.db.Delete(&dbSector{Model: Model{ID: 1}}).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Delete(&dbSector{Model: Model{ID: 1}}).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if err := ss.db.Find(&css).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Find(&css).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if len(css) != 0 {
@@ -2144,7 +2144,7 @@ func TestUpdateSlab(t *testing.T) {
 	// helper to fetch a slab from the database
 	fetchSlab := func() (slab dbSlab) {
 		t.Helper()
-		if err = ss.db.
+		if err = ss.gormDB.
 			Where(&dbSlab{Key: key}).
 			Preload("Shards.Contracts").
 			Take(&slab).
@@ -2227,7 +2227,7 @@ func TestUpdateSlab(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// assert there's still only one entry in the dbslab table
 	var cnt int64
-	if err := ss.db.Model(&dbSlab{}).Count(&cnt).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbSlab{}).Count(&cnt).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if cnt != 1 {
 		t.Fatalf("unexpected number of entries in dbslab, %v != 1", cnt)
@@ -2262,7 +2262,7 @@ func TestUpdateSlab(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	var s dbSlab
-	if err := ss.db.Where(&dbSlab{Key: key}).
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Where(&dbSlab{Key: key}).
 		Joins("DBContractSet").
 		Preload("Shards").
 		Take(&s).
@@ -2497,7 +2497,7 @@ func TestRenameObjects(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	var directories []dbDirectory
 	test.Retry(100, 100*time.Millisecond, func() error {
-		if err := ss.db.Find(&directories).Error; err != nil {
+		if err := ss.gormDB.Find(&directories).Error; err != nil {
 			return err
 		} else if len(directories) != len(expectedDirs) {
 			return fmt.Errorf("unexpected number of directories, %v != %v", len(directories), len(expectedDirs))
@@ -2565,7 +2565,7 @@ func TestObjectsStats(t *testing.T) {
 	// Get all entries in contract_sectors and store them again with a different
 	// contract id. This should cause the uploaded size to double.
 	var contractSectors []dbContractSector
-	err = ss.db.Find(&contractSectors).Error
+	err = ss.gormDB.Find(&contractSectors).Error
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -2717,7 +2717,7 @@ func TestPartialSlab(t *testing.T) {
 
 	var buffer bufferedSlab
 	sk, _ := slabs[0].Key.MarshalBinary()
-	if err := ss.db.Joins("DBSlab").Take(&buffer, "DBSlab.key = ?", secretKey(sk)).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Joins("DBSlab").Take(&buffer, "DBSlab.key = ?", secretKey(sk)).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if buffer.Filename == "" {
@@ -2779,7 +2779,7 @@ func TestPartialSlab(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	buffer = bufferedSlab{}
 	sk, _ = slabs[0].Key.MarshalBinary()
-	if err := ss.db.Joins("DBSlab").Take(&buffer, "DBSlab.key = ?", secretKey(sk)).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Joins("DBSlab").Take(&buffer, "DBSlab.key = ?", secretKey(sk)).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	assertBuffer(buffer1Name, 4194303, false, false)
@@ -2820,13 +2820,13 @@ func TestPartialSlab(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	buffer = bufferedSlab{}
 	sk, _ = slabs[0].Key.MarshalBinary()
-	if err := ss.db.Joins("DBSlab").Take(&buffer, "DBSlab.key = ?", secretKey(sk)).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Joins("DBSlab").Take(&buffer, "DBSlab.key = ?", secretKey(sk)).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	assertBuffer(buffer1Name, rhpv2.SectorSize, true, false)
 	buffer = bufferedSlab{}
 	sk, _ = slabs[1].Key.MarshalBinary()
-	if err := ss.db.Joins("DBSlab").Take(&buffer, "DBSlab.key = ?", secretKey(sk)).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Joins("DBSlab").Take(&buffer, "DBSlab.key = ?", secretKey(sk)).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	buffer2Name := buffer.Filename
@@ -2854,11 +2854,11 @@ func TestPartialSlab(t *testing.T) {
 	assertBuffer(buffer2Name, 1, false, false)
 
 	var foo []bufferedSlab
-	if err := ss.db.Find(&foo).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Find(&foo).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	buffer = bufferedSlab{}
-	if err := ss.db.Take(&buffer, "id = ?", packedSlabs[0].BufferID).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Take(&buffer, "id = ?", packedSlabs[0].BufferID).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
@@ -2877,7 +2877,7 @@ func TestPartialSlab(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	buffer = bufferedSlab{}
-	if err := ss.db.Take(&buffer, "id = ?", packedSlabs[0].BufferID).Error; !errors.Is(err, gorm.ErrRecordNotFound) {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Take(&buffer, "id = ?", packedSlabs[0].BufferID).Error; !errors.Is(err, gorm.ErrRecordNotFound) {
 		t.Fatal("shouldn't be able to find buffer", err)
 	}
 	assertBuffer(buffer2Name, 1, false, false)
@@ -3084,7 +3084,7 @@ func TestContractSizes(t *testing.T) {
 // dbObject retrieves a dbObject from the store.
 func (s *SQLStore) dbObject(key string) (dbObject, error) {
 	var obj dbObject
-	tx := s.db.Where(&dbObject{ObjectID: key}).
+	tx := s.gormDB.Where(&dbObject{ObjectID: key}).
 		Preload("Slabs").
 		Take(&obj)
 	if errors.Is(tx.Error, gorm.ErrRecordNotFound) {
@@ -3096,7 +3096,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) dbObject(key string) (dbObject, error) {
 // dbSlab retrieves a dbSlab from the store.
 func (s *SQLStore) dbSlab(key []byte) (dbSlab, error) {
 	var slab dbSlab
-	tx := s.db.Where(&dbSlab{Key: key}).
+	tx := s.gormDB.Where(&dbSlab{Key: key}).
 		Preload("Shards.Contracts.Host").
 		Take(&slab)
 	if errors.Is(tx.Error, gorm.ErrRecordNotFound) {
@@ -3364,7 +3364,7 @@ func TestBucketObjects(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// See if we can fetch the object by slab.
 	var ec object.EncryptionKey
-	if obj, err := ss.objectRaw(ss.db, b1, "/bar"); err != nil {
+	if obj, err := ss.objectRaw(ss.gormDB, b1, "/bar"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if err := ec.UnmarshalBinary(obj[0].SlabKey); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
@@ -3498,7 +3498,7 @@ func TestMarkSlabUploadedAfterRenew(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	var count int64
-	if err := ss.db.Model(&dbContractSector{}).Count(&count).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbContractSector{}).Count(&count).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if count != 1 {
 		t.Fatal("expected 1 sector", count)
@@ -3549,7 +3549,7 @@ func TestListObjects(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// update health of objects to match the overridden health of the slabs
-	if err := updateAllObjectsHealth(ss.db); err != nil {
+	if err := updateAllObjectsHealth(ss.gormDB); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal()
 	}
 
@@ -3633,7 +3633,7 @@ func TestDeleteHostSector(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// get all contracts
 	var dbContracts []dbContract
-	if err := ss.db.Model(&dbContract{}).Preload("Host").Find(&dbContracts).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbContract{}).Preload("Host").Find(&dbContracts).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
@@ -3654,13 +3654,13 @@ func TestDeleteHostSector(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		},
 	}
-	if err := ss.db.Create(&slab).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Create(&slab).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
 	// Make sure 4 contractSector entries exist.
 	var n int64
-	if err := ss.db.Model(&dbContractSector{}).
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbContractSector{}).
 		Count(&n).
 		Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
@@ -3676,7 +3676,7 @@ func TestDeleteHostSector(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Make sure 2 contractSector entries exist.
-	if err := ss.db.Model(&dbContractSector{}).
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbContractSector{}).
 		Count(&n).
 		Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
@@ -3686,7 +3686,7 @@ func TestDeleteHostSector(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Find the slab. It should have an invalid health.
 	var s dbSlab
-	if err := ss.db.Preload("Shards").Take(&s).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Preload("Shards").Take(&s).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if s.HealthValid() {
 		t.Fatal("expected health to be invalid")
@@ -3696,7 +3696,7 @@ func TestDeleteHostSector(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Fetch the sector and assert the contracts association.
 	var sectors []dbSector
-	if err := ss.db.Model(&dbSector{}).Preload("Contracts").Find(&sectors).Preload("Contracts").Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbSector{}).Preload("Contracts").Find(&sectors).Preload("Contracts").Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if len(sectors) != 1 {
 		t.Fatal("expected 1 sector", len(sectors))
@@ -3738,7 +3738,7 @@ func TestDeleteHostSector(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Fetch the sector and check the public key has the default value
-	if err := ss.db.Model(&dbSector{}).Find(&sectors).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbSector{}).Find(&sectors).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if len(sectors) != 1 {
 		t.Fatal("expected 1 sector", len(sectors))
@@ -3839,7 +3839,7 @@ func TestSlabHealthInvalidation(t *testing.T) {
 		var slab dbSlab
 		if key, err := slabKey.MarshalBinary(); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
-		} else if err := ss.db.Model(&dbSlab{}).Where(&dbSlab{Key: key}).Take(&slab).Error; err != nil {
+		} else if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbSlab{}).Where(&dbSlab{Key: key}).Take(&slab).Error; err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		} else if slab.HealthValid() != expected {
 			t.Fatal("unexpected health valid", slab.HealthValid(), slab.HealthValidUntil, time.Now(), time.Unix(slab.HealthValidUntil, 0))
@@ -3961,7 +3961,7 @@ func TestSlabHealthInvalidation(t *testing.T) {
 	// assert the health validity is always updated to a random time in the future that matches the boundaries
 	for i := 0; i < 1e3; i++ {
 		// reset health validity
-		if tx := ss.db.Exec("UPDATE slabs SET health_valid_until = 0;"); tx.Error != nil {
+		if tx := ss.gormDB.Exec("UPDATE slabs SET health_valid_until = 0;"); tx.Error != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
@@ -3975,7 +3975,7 @@ func TestSlabHealthInvalidation(t *testing.T) {
 		var slab dbSlab
 		if key, err := s1.MarshalBinary(); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
-		} else if err := ss.db.Model(&dbSlab{}).Where(&dbSlab{Key: key}).Take(&slab).Error; err != nil {
+		} else if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbSlab{}).Where(&dbSlab{Key: key}).Take(&slab).Error; err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
 
@@ -4113,18 +4113,18 @@ func TestSlabCleanup(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// create contract set
 	cs := dbContractSet{}
-	if err := ss.db.Create(&cs).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Create(&cs).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
 	// create buffered slab
 	bsID := uint(1)
-	if err := ss.db.Exec("INSERT INTO buffered_slabs (filename) VALUES ('foo');").Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Exec("INSERT INTO buffered_slabs (filename) VALUES ('foo');").Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
 	var dirID int64
-	err := ss.bMain.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err := ss.db.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		var err error
 		dirID, err = tx.MakeDirsForPath(context.Background(), "1")
 		return err
@@ -4140,7 +4140,7 @@ func TestSlabCleanup(t *testing.T) {
 		DBBucketID:    ss.DefaultBucketID(),
 		Health:        1,
 	}
-	if err := ss.db.Create(&obj1).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Create(&obj1).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	obj2 := dbObject{
@@ -4149,7 +4149,7 @@ func TestSlabCleanup(t *testing.T) {
 		DBBucketID:    ss.DefaultBucketID(),
 		Health:        1,
 	}
-	if err := ss.db.Create(&obj2).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Create(&obj2).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
@@ -4161,7 +4161,7 @@ func TestSlabCleanup(t *testing.T) {
 		Key:              secretKey(ek),
 		HealthValidUntil: 100,
 	}
-	if err := ss.db.Create(&slab).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Create(&slab).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
@@ -4170,14 +4170,14 @@ func TestSlabCleanup(t *testing.T) {
 		DBObjectID: &obj1.ID,
 		DBSlabID:   slab.ID,
 	}
-	if err := ss.db.Create(&slice1).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Create(&slice1).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	slice2 := dbSlice{
 		DBObjectID: &obj2.ID,
 		DBSlabID:   slab.ID,
 	}
-	if err := ss.db.Create(&slice2).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Create(&slice2).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
@@ -4189,7 +4189,7 @@ func TestSlabCleanup(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// check slice count
 	var slabCntr int64
-	if err := ss.db.Model(&dbSlab{}).Count(&slabCntr).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbSlab{}).Count(&slabCntr).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if slabCntr != 1 {
 		t.Fatalf("expected 1 slabs, got %v", slabCntr)
@@ -4199,7 +4199,7 @@ func TestSlabCleanup(t *testing.T) {
 	err = ss.RemoveObjectBlocking(context.Background(), api.DefaultBucketName, obj2.ObjectID)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
-	} else if err := ss.db.Model(&dbSlab{}).Count(&slabCntr).Error; err != nil {
+	} else if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbSlab{}).Count(&slabCntr).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if slabCntr != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("expected 0 slabs, got %v", slabCntr)
@@ -4214,7 +4214,7 @@ func TestSlabCleanup(t *testing.T) {
 		Key:              ek,
 		HealthValidUntil: 100,
 	}
-	if err := ss.db.Create(&bufferedSlab).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Create(&bufferedSlab).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	obj3 := dbObject{
@@ -4223,17 +4223,17 @@ func TestSlabCleanup(t *testing.T) {
 		DBBucketID:    ss.DefaultBucketID(),
 		Health:        1,
 	}
-	if err := ss.db.Create(&obj3).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Create(&obj3).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	slice := dbSlice{
 		DBObjectID: &obj3.ID,
 		DBSlabID:   bufferedSlab.ID,
 	}
-	if err := ss.db.Create(&slice).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Create(&slice).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if err := ss.db.Model(&dbSlab{}).Count(&slabCntr).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbSlab{}).Count(&slabCntr).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if slabCntr != 1 {
 		t.Fatalf("expected 1 slabs, got %v", slabCntr)
@@ -4243,7 +4243,7 @@ func TestSlabCleanup(t *testing.T) {
 	err = ss.RemoveObjectBlocking(context.Background(), api.DefaultBucketName, obj3.ObjectID)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
-	} else if err := ss.db.Model(&dbSlab{}).Count(&slabCntr).Error; err != nil {
+	} else if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbSlab{}).Count(&slabCntr).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if slabCntr != 1 {
 		t.Fatalf("expected 1 slabs, got %v", slabCntr)
@@ -4306,7 +4306,7 @@ func TestUpdateObjectReuseSlab(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// fetch the object
 	var dbObj dbObject
-	if err := ss.db.Where("db_bucket_id", ss.DefaultBucketID()).Take(&dbObj).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Where("db_bucket_id", ss.DefaultBucketID()).Take(&dbObj).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if dbObj.ID != 1 {
 		t.Fatal("unexpected id", dbObj.ID)
@@ -4322,7 +4322,7 @@ func TestUpdateObjectReuseSlab(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// fetch its slices
 	var dbSlices []dbSlice
-	if err := ss.db.Where("db_object_id", dbObj.ID).Find(&dbSlices).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Where("db_object_id", dbObj.ID).Find(&dbSlices).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if len(dbSlices) != 2 {
 		t.Fatal("invalid number of slices", len(dbSlices))
@@ -4339,7 +4339,7 @@ func TestUpdateObjectReuseSlab(t *testing.T) {
 		// fetch the slab
 		var dbSlab dbSlab
 		key, _ := obj.Slabs[i].Key.MarshalBinary()
-		if err := ss.db.Where("id", dbSlice.DBSlabID).Take(&dbSlab).Error; err != nil {
+		if err := ss.gormDB.Where("id", dbSlice.DBSlabID).Take(&dbSlab).Error; err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		} else if dbSlab.ID != uint(i+1) {
 			t.Fatal("unexpected id", dbSlab.ID)
@@ -4359,7 +4359,7 @@ func TestUpdateObjectReuseSlab(t *testing.T) {
 
 		// fetch the sectors
 		var dbSectors []dbSector
-		if err := ss.db.Where("db_slab_id", dbSlab.ID).Find(&dbSectors).Error; err != nil {
+		if err := ss.gormDB.Where("db_slab_id", dbSlab.ID).Find(&dbSectors).Error; err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		} else if len(dbSectors) != totalShards {
 			t.Fatal("invalid number of sectors", len(dbSectors))
@@ -4412,7 +4412,7 @@ func TestUpdateObjectReuseSlab(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// fetch the object
 	var dbObj2 dbObject
-	if err := ss.db.Where("db_bucket_id", ss.DefaultBucketID()).
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Where("db_bucket_id", ss.DefaultBucketID()).
 		Where("object_id", "2").
 		Take(&dbObj2).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
@@ -4424,7 +4424,7 @@ func TestUpdateObjectReuseSlab(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// fetch its slices
 	var dbSlices2 []dbSlice
-	if err := ss.db.Where("db_object_id", dbObj2.ID).Find(&dbSlices2).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Where("db_object_id", dbObj2.ID).Find(&dbSlices2).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if len(dbSlices2) != 2 {
 		t.Fatal("invalid number of slices", len(dbSlices))
@@ -4443,7 +4443,7 @@ func TestUpdateObjectReuseSlab(t *testing.T) {
 	// fetch the slab
 	var dbSlab2 dbSlab
 	key, _ := obj2.Slabs[0].Key.MarshalBinary()
-	if err := ss.db.Where("id", dbSlice2.DBSlabID).Take(&dbSlab2).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Where("id", dbSlice2.DBSlabID).Take(&dbSlab2).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if dbSlab2.ID != uint(len(dbSlices)+1) {
 		t.Fatal("unexpected id", dbSlab2.ID)
@@ -4455,7 +4455,7 @@ func TestUpdateObjectReuseSlab(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// fetch the sectors
 	var dbSectors2 []dbSector
-	if err := ss.db.Where("db_slab_id", dbSlab2.ID).Find(&dbSectors2).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Where("db_slab_id", dbSlab2.ID).Find(&dbSectors2).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if len(dbSectors2) != totalShards {
 		t.Fatal("invalid number of sectors", len(dbSectors2))
@@ -4478,7 +4478,7 @@ func TestUpdateObjectReuseSlab(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	var contractSectors []dbContractSector
-	if err := ss.db.Find(&contractSectors).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Find(&contractSectors).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if len(contractSectors) != 3*totalShards {
 		t.Fatal("invalid number of contract sectors", len(contractSectors))
@@ -4613,7 +4613,7 @@ func TestFetchUsedContracts(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// assert empty map returns no contracts
 	usedContracts := make(map[types.PublicKey]map[types.FileContractID]struct{})
-	contracts, err := fetchUsedContracts(ss.db, usedContracts)
+	contracts, err := fetchUsedContracts(ss.gormDB, usedContracts)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if len(contracts) != 0 {
@@ -4625,7 +4625,7 @@ func TestFetchUsedContracts(t *testing.T) {
 	usedContracts[hk1][types.FileContractID{1}] = struct{}{}
 
 	// assert we get the used contract
-	contracts, err = fetchUsedContracts(ss.db, usedContracts)
+	contracts, err = fetchUsedContracts(ss.gormDB, usedContracts)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if len(contracts) != 1 {
@@ -4642,7 +4642,7 @@ func TestFetchUsedContracts(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// assert used contracts contains one entry and it points to the renewal
-	contracts, err = fetchUsedContracts(ss.db, usedContracts)
+	contracts, err = fetchUsedContracts(ss.gormDB, usedContracts)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if len(contracts) != 1 {
@@ -4658,7 +4658,7 @@ func TestFetchUsedContracts(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// assert used contracts now contains an entry for both contracts and both
 	// point to the renewed contract
-	contracts, err = fetchUsedContracts(ss.db, usedContracts)
+	contracts, err = fetchUsedContracts(ss.gormDB, usedContracts)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if len(contracts) != 2 {
@@ -4685,7 +4685,7 @@ func TestDirectories(t *testing.T) {
 
 	for _, o := range objects {
 		var dirID int64
-		err := ss.bMain.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+		err := ss.db.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 			var err error
 			dirID, err = tx.MakeDirsForPath(context.Background(), o)
 			return err
@@ -4730,7 +4730,7 @@ func TestDirectories(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	var dbDirs []dbDirectory
-	if err := ss.db.Find(&dbDirs).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Find(&dbDirs).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if len(dbDirs) != len(expectedDirs) {
 		t.Fatalf("expected %v dirs, got %v", len(expectedDirs), len(dbDirs))
@@ -4751,7 +4751,7 @@ func TestDirectories(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	var n int64
-	if err := ss.db.Model(&dbDirectory{}).Count(&n).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbDirectory{}).Count(&n).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if n != 1 {
 		t.Fatal("expected 1 dir, got", n)
diff --git a/stores/metrics.go b/stores/metrics.go
index 45003dfb9..62dbde8ce 100644
--- a/stores/metrics.go
+++ b/stores/metrics.go
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func (s *SQLStore) ContractMetrics(ctx context.Context, start time.Time, n uint64, interval time.Duration, opts api.ContractMetricsQueryOpts) (metrics []api.ContractMetric, err error) {
-	err = s.bMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
+	err = s.dbMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
 		metrics, txErr = tx.ContractMetrics(ctx, start, n, interval, opts)
 		return
 	})
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) ContractMetrics(ctx context.Context, start time.Time, n uint6
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) ContractPruneMetrics(ctx context.Context, start time.Time, n uint64, interval time.Duration, opts api.ContractPruneMetricsQueryOpts) (metrics []api.ContractPruneMetric, err error) {
-	err = s.bMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
+	err = s.dbMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
 		metrics, txErr = tx.ContractPruneMetrics(ctx, start, n, interval, opts)
 		return
 	})
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) ContractPruneMetrics(ctx context.Context, start time.Time, n
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) ContractSetChurnMetrics(ctx context.Context, start time.Time, n uint64, interval time.Duration, opts api.ContractSetChurnMetricsQueryOpts) (metrics []api.ContractSetChurnMetric, err error) {
-	err = s.bMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
+	err = s.dbMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
 		metrics, txErr = tx.ContractSetChurnMetrics(ctx, start, n, interval, opts)
 		return
 	})
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) ContractSetChurnMetrics(ctx context.Context, start time.Time,
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) ContractSetMetrics(ctx context.Context, start time.Time, n uint64, interval time.Duration, opts api.ContractSetMetricsQueryOpts) (metrics []api.ContractSetMetric, err error) {
-	err = s.bMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
+	err = s.dbMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
 		metrics, txErr = tx.ContractSetMetrics(ctx, start, n, interval, opts)
 		return
 	})
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) ContractSetMetrics(ctx context.Context, start time.Time, n ui
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) PerformanceMetrics(ctx context.Context, start time.Time, n uint64, interval time.Duration, opts api.PerformanceMetricsQueryOpts) (metrics []api.PerformanceMetric, err error) {
-	err = s.bMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
+	err = s.dbMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
 		metrics, txErr = tx.PerformanceMetrics(ctx, start, n, interval, opts)
 		return
 	})
@@ -49,43 +49,43 @@ func (s *SQLStore) PerformanceMetrics(ctx context.Context, start time.Time, n ui
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) RecordContractMetric(ctx context.Context, metrics ...api.ContractMetric) error {
-	return s.bMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.dbMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.RecordContractMetric(ctx, metrics...)
 	})
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) RecordContractPruneMetric(ctx context.Context, metrics ...api.ContractPruneMetric) error {
-	return s.bMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.dbMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.RecordContractPruneMetric(ctx, metrics...)
 	})
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) RecordContractSetChurnMetric(ctx context.Context, metrics ...api.ContractSetChurnMetric) error {
-	return s.bMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.dbMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.RecordContractSetChurnMetric(ctx, metrics...)
 	})
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) RecordContractSetMetric(ctx context.Context, metrics ...api.ContractSetMetric) error {
-	return s.bMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.dbMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.RecordContractSetMetric(ctx, metrics...)
 	})
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) RecordPerformanceMetric(ctx context.Context, metrics ...api.PerformanceMetric) error {
-	return s.bMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.dbMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.RecordPerformanceMetric(ctx, metrics...)
 	})
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) RecordWalletMetric(ctx context.Context, metrics ...api.WalletMetric) error {
-	return s.bMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.dbMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.RecordWalletMetric(ctx, metrics...)
 	})
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) WalletMetrics(ctx context.Context, start time.Time, n uint64, interval time.Duration, opts api.WalletMetricsQueryOpts) (metrics []api.WalletMetric, err error) {
-	err = s.bMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
+	err = s.dbMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
 		metrics, txErr = tx.WalletMetrics(ctx, start, n, interval, opts)
 		return
 	})
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) WalletMetrics(ctx context.Context, start time.Time, n uint64,
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) PruneMetrics(ctx context.Context, metric string, cutoff time.Time) error {
-	return s.bMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.dbMetrics.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.MetricsDatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.PruneMetrics(ctx, metric, cutoff)
 	})
 }
diff --git a/stores/multipart.go b/stores/multipart.go
index 95aad7104..ec987619f 100644
--- a/stores/multipart.go
+++ b/stores/multipart.go
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import (
 
 func (s *SQLStore) CreateMultipartUpload(ctx context.Context, bucket, path string, ec object.EncryptionKey, mimeType string, metadata api.ObjectUserMetadata) (api.MultipartCreateResponse, error) {
 	var uploadID string
-	err := s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+	err := s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 		uploadID, err = tx.InsertMultipartUpload(ctx, bucket, path, ec, mimeType, metadata)
 		return
 	})
@@ -25,13 +25,13 @@ func (s *SQLStore) CreateMultipartUpload(ctx context.Context, bucket, path strin
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) AddMultipartPart(ctx context.Context, bucket, path, contractSet, eTag, uploadID string, partNumber int, slices []object.SlabSlice) (err error) {
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.AddMultipartPart(ctx, bucket, path, contractSet, eTag, uploadID, partNumber, slices)
 	})
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) MultipartUpload(ctx context.Context, uploadID string) (resp api.MultipartUpload, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 		resp, err = tx.MultipartUpload(ctx, uploadID)
 		return
 	})
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) MultipartUpload(ctx context.Context, uploadID string) (resp a
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) MultipartUploads(ctx context.Context, bucket, prefix, keyMarker, uploadIDMarker string, limit int) (resp api.MultipartListUploadsResponse, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 		resp, err = tx.MultipartUploads(ctx, bucket, prefix, keyMarker, uploadIDMarker, limit)
 		return
 	})
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) MultipartUploads(ctx context.Context, bucket, prefix, keyMark
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) MultipartUploadParts(ctx context.Context, bucket, object string, uploadID string, marker int, limit int64) (resp api.MultipartListPartsResponse, _ error) {
-	err := s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+	err := s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 		resp, err = tx.MultipartUploadParts(ctx, bucket, object, uploadID, marker, limit)
 		return
 	})
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) MultipartUploadParts(ctx context.Context, bucket, object stri
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) AbortMultipartUpload(ctx context.Context, bucket, path string, uploadID string) error {
-	err := s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err := s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.AbortMultipartUpload(ctx, bucket, path, uploadID)
 	})
 	if err != nil {
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) CompleteMultipartUpload(ctx context.Context, bucket, path str
 
 	var eTag string
 	var prune bool
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		// Delete potentially existing object.
 		prune, err = tx.DeleteObject(ctx, bucket, path)
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/stores/multipart_test.go b/stores/multipart_test.go
index 762ea45a9..369ee7b03 100644
--- a/stores/multipart_test.go
+++ b/stores/multipart_test.go
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ func TestMultipartUploadWithUploadPackingRegression(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Assert metadata was persisted and is linked to the multipart upload
 	var metadatas []dbObjectUserMetadata
-	if err := ss.db.Model(&dbObjectUserMetadata{}).Find(&metadatas).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbObjectUserMetadata{}).Find(&metadatas).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if len(metadatas) != len(testMetadata) {
 		t.Fatal("expected metadata to be persisted")
@@ -87,13 +87,13 @@ func TestMultipartUploadWithUploadPackingRegression(t *testing.T) {
 	// Complete the upload. Check that the number of slices stays the same.
 	var nSlicesBefore int64
 	var nSlicesAfter int64
-	if err := ss.db.Model(&dbSlice{}).Count(&nSlicesBefore).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbSlice{}).Count(&nSlicesBefore).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if nSlicesBefore == 0 {
 		t.Fatal("expected some slices")
 	} else if _, err = ss.CompleteMultipartUpload(ctx, api.DefaultBucketName, objName, resp.UploadID, parts, api.CompleteMultipartOptions{}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
-	} else if err := ss.db.Model(&dbSlice{}).Count(&nSlicesAfter).Error; err != nil {
+	} else if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbSlice{}).Count(&nSlicesAfter).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if nSlicesBefore != nSlicesAfter {
 		t.Fatalf("expected number of slices to stay the same, but got %v before and %v after", nSlicesBefore, nSlicesAfter)
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ func TestMultipartUploadWithUploadPackingRegression(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Assert metadata was converted and the multipart upload id was nullified
-	if err := ss.db.Model(&dbObjectUserMetadata{}).Find(&metadatas).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Model(&dbObjectUserMetadata{}).Find(&metadatas).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if len(metadatas) != len(testMetadata) {
 		t.Fatal("expected metadata to be persisted")
diff --git a/stores/peers.go b/stores/peers.go
index 3c6f6036b..5937a9d68 100644
--- a/stores/peers.go
+++ b/stores/peers.go
@@ -15,14 +15,14 @@ var (
 // AddPeer adds a peer to the store. If the peer already exists, nil should be
 // returned.
 func (s *SQLStore) AddPeer(addr string) error {
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.AddPeer(context.Background(), addr)
 	})
 }
 
 // Peers returns the set of known peers.
 func (s *SQLStore) Peers() (peers []syncer.PeerInfo, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
 		peers, txErr = tx.Peers(context.Background())
 		return
 	})
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) Peers() (peers []syncer.PeerInfo, err error) {
 // PeerInfo returns the metadata for the specified peer or ErrPeerNotFound
 // if the peer wasn't found in the store.
 func (s *SQLStore) PeerInfo(addr string) (info syncer.PeerInfo, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
 		info, txErr = tx.PeerInfo(context.Background(), addr)
 		return
 	})
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) PeerInfo(addr string) (info syncer.PeerInfo, err error) {
 // UpdatePeerInfo updates the metadata for the specified peer. If the peer
 // is not found, the error should be ErrPeerNotFound.
 func (s *SQLStore) UpdatePeerInfo(addr string, fn func(*syncer.PeerInfo)) error {
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.UpdatePeerInfo(context.Background(), addr, fn)
 	})
 }
@@ -50,14 +50,14 @@ func (s *SQLStore) UpdatePeerInfo(addr string, fn func(*syncer.PeerInfo)) error
 // Ban temporarily bans one or more IPs. The addr should either be a single
 // IP with port (e.g. 1.2.3.4:5678) or a CIDR subnet (e.g. 1.2.3.4/16).
 func (s *SQLStore) Ban(addr string, duration time.Duration, reason string) error {
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.BanPeer(context.Background(), addr, duration, reason)
 	})
 }
 
 // Banned returns true, nil if the peer is banned.
 func (s *SQLStore) Banned(addr string) (banned bool, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (txErr error) {
 		banned, txErr = tx.PeerBanned(context.Background(), addr)
 		return
 	})
diff --git a/stores/settingsdb.go b/stores/settingsdb.go
index 08d0d3faf..7a895108c 100644
--- a/stores/settingsdb.go
+++ b/stores/settingsdb.go
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) DeleteSetting(ctx context.Context, key string) error {
 	defer s.settingsMu.Unlock()
 
 	// delete from database first
-	if err := s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	if err := s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.DeleteSettings(ctx, key)
 	}); err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) Setting(ctx context.Context, key string) (string, error) {
 
 	// Check database.
 	var err error
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		value, err = tx.Setting(ctx, key)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) Setting(ctx context.Context, key string) (string, error) {
 
 // Settings implements the bus.SettingStore interface.
 func (s *SQLStore) Settings(ctx context.Context) (settings []string, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		settings, err = tx.Settings(ctx)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) UpdateSetting(ctx context.Context, key, value string) error {
 	s.settingsMu.Lock()
 	defer s.settingsMu.Unlock()
 
-	err := s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err := s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.UpdateSetting(ctx, key, value)
 	})
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/stores/slabbuffer_test.go b/stores/slabbuffer_test.go
index 145a1aae6..27098a350 100644
--- a/stores/slabbuffer_test.go
+++ b/stores/slabbuffer_test.go
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ func TestRecordAppendToCompletedBuffer(t *testing.T) {
 	defer ss.Close()
 
 	completionThreshold := int64(1000)
-	mgr, err := newSlabBufferManager(context.Background(), ss.alerts, ss.bMain, ss.logger, completionThreshold, t.TempDir())
+	mgr, err := newSlabBufferManager(context.Background(), ss.alerts, ss.db, ss.logger, completionThreshold, t.TempDir())
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ func TestRecordAppendToCompletedBuffer(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// get contract set for its id
 	var set dbContractSet
-	if err := ss.db.Where("name", testContractSet).Take(&set).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Where("name", testContractSet).Take(&set).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ func TestMarkBufferCompleteTwice(t *testing.T) {
 	ss := newTestSQLStore(t, defaultTestSQLStoreConfig)
 	defer ss.Close()
 
-	mgr, err := newSlabBufferManager(context.Background(), ss.alerts, ss.bMain, ss.logger, 0, t.TempDir())
+	mgr, err := newSlabBufferManager(context.Background(), ss.alerts, ss.db, ss.logger, 0, t.TempDir())
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ func TestMarkBufferCompleteTwice(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// get contract set for its id
 	var set dbContractSet
-	if err := ss.db.Where("name", testContractSet).Take(&set).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Where("name", testContractSet).Take(&set).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
diff --git a/stores/sql.go b/stores/sql.go
index 8465e671b..7315bf96a 100644
--- a/stores/sql.go
+++ b/stores/sql.go
@@ -50,11 +50,10 @@ type (
 
 	// SQLStore is a helper type for interacting with a SQL-based backend.
 	SQLStore struct {
-		alerts   alerts.Alerter
-		db       *gorm.DB
-		bMain    sql.Database
-		bMetrics sql.MetricsDatabase
-		logger   *zap.SugaredLogger
+		alerts    alerts.Alerter
+		db        sql.Database
+		dbMetrics sql.MetricsDatabase
+		logger    *zap.SugaredLogger
 
 		walletAddress types.Address
 
@@ -76,6 +75,8 @@ type (
 		mu           sync.Mutex
 		lastPrunedAt time.Time
 		closed       bool
+
+		gormDB *gorm.DB // deprecated: don't use
 	}
 )
 
@@ -168,11 +169,11 @@ func NewSQLStore(cfg Config) (*SQLStore, error) {
 
 	shutdownCtx, shutdownCtxCancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	ss := &SQLStore{
-		alerts:   cfg.Alerts,
-		db:       db,
-		bMain:    dbMain,
-		bMetrics: dbMetrics,
-		logger:   l,
+		alerts:    cfg.Alerts,
+		gormDB:    db,
+		db:        dbMain,
+		dbMetrics: dbMetrics,
+		logger:    l,
 
 		settings:      make(map[string]string),
 		walletAddress: cfg.WalletAddress,
@@ -215,7 +216,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) initSlabPruning() error {
 	}()
 
 	// prune once to guarantee consistency on startup
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(s.shutdownCtx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(s.shutdownCtx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		_, err := tx.PruneSlabs(s.shutdownCtx, math.MaxInt64)
 		return err
 	})
@@ -230,11 +231,11 @@ func (s *SQLStore) Close() error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	err = s.bMain.Close()
+	err = s.db.Close()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	err = s.bMetrics.Close()
+	err = s.dbMetrics.Close()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -246,7 +247,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) Close() error {
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) retryTransaction(ctx context.Context, fc func(tx *gorm.DB) error) error {
-	return retryTransaction(ctx, s.db, s.logger, s.retryTransactionIntervals, fc, s.retryAbortFn)
+	return retryTransaction(ctx, s.gormDB, s.logger, s.retryTransactionIntervals, fc, s.retryAbortFn)
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) retryAbortFn(err error) bool {
diff --git a/stores/sql/main.go b/stores/sql/main.go
index 28bc11af0..7238c5439 100644
--- a/stores/sql/main.go
+++ b/stores/sql/main.go
@@ -2340,7 +2340,11 @@ func Tip(ctx context.Context, tx sql.Tx) (types.ChainIndex, error) {
 	var id Hash256
 	var height uint64
 	if err := tx.QueryRow(ctx, "SELECT height, block_id FROM consensus_infos WHERE id = ?", sql.ConsensusInfoID).
-		Scan(&id, &height); err != nil {
+		Scan(&height, &id); errors.Is(err, dsql.ErrNoRows) {
+		// init
+		_, err = tx.Exec(ctx, "INSERT INTO consensus_infos (id, height, block_id) VALUES (?, ?, ?)", sql.ConsensusInfoID, 0, Hash256{})
+		return types.ChainIndex{}, err
+	} else if err != nil {
 		return types.ChainIndex{}, err
 	}
 	return types.ChainIndex{
diff --git a/stores/sql_test.go b/stores/sql_test.go
index 624536c7b..8deb485cf 100644
--- a/stores/sql_test.go
+++ b/stores/sql_test.go
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ func newTestSQLStore(t *testing.T, cfg testSQLStoreConfig) *testSQLStore {
 }
 
 func (s *testSQLStore) DB() *isql.DB {
-	switch db := s.bMain.(type) {
+	switch db := s.db.(type) {
 	case *sqlite.MainDatabase:
 		return db.DB()
 	case *mysql.MainDatabase:
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ func (s *testSQLStore) DB() *isql.DB {
 }
 
 func (s *testSQLStore) DBMetrics() *isql.DB {
-	switch db := s.bMetrics.(type) {
+	switch db := s.dbMetrics.(type) {
 	case *sqlite.MetricsDatabase:
 		return db.DB()
 	case *mysql.MetricsDatabase:
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ func (s *testSQLStore) Close() error {
 
 func (s *testSQLStore) DefaultBucketID() uint {
 	var b dbBucket
-	if err := s.db.
+	if err := s.gormDB.
 		Model(&dbBucket{}).
 		Where("name = ?", api.DefaultBucketName).
 		Take(&b).
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) addTestRenewedContract(fcid, renewedFrom types.FileContractID
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) contractsCount() (cnt int64, err error) {
-	err = s.db.
+	err = s.gormDB.
 		Model(&dbContract{}).
 		Count(&cnt).
 		Error
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) contractsCount() (cnt int64, err error) {
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) overrideSlabHealth(objectID string, health float64) (err error) {
-	err = s.db.Exec(fmt.Sprintf(`
+	err = s.gormDB.Exec(fmt.Sprintf(`
 	UPDATE slabs SET health = %v WHERE id IN (
 		SELECT * FROM (
 			SELECT sla.id
@@ -371,16 +371,16 @@ func TestQueryPlan(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	for _, query := range queries {
-		if isSQLite(ss.db) {
+		if isSQLite(ss.gormDB) {
 			var explain sqliteQueryPlan
-			if err := ss.db.Raw(fmt.Sprintf("EXPLAIN QUERY PLAN %s;", query)).Scan(&explain).Error; err != nil {
+			if err := ss.gormDB.Raw(fmt.Sprintf("EXPLAIN QUERY PLAN %s;", query)).Scan(&explain).Error; err != nil {
 				t.Fatal(err)
 			} else if !explain.usesIndex() {
 				t.Fatalf("query '%s' should use an index, instead the plan was %+v", query, explain)
 			}
 		} else {
 			var explain mysqlQueryPlan
-			if err := ss.db.Raw(fmt.Sprintf("EXPLAIN %s;", query)).Scan(&explain).Error; err != nil {
+			if err := ss.gormDB.Raw(fmt.Sprintf("EXPLAIN %s;", query)).Scan(&explain).Error; err != nil {
 				t.Fatal(err)
 			} else if !explain.usesIndex() {
 				t.Fatalf("query '%s' should use an index, instead the plan was %+v", query, explain)
diff --git a/stores/types.go b/stores/types.go
index 7740287fd..fd1950b27 100644
--- a/stores/types.go
+++ b/stores/types.go
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ type (
 	currency       types.Currency
 	bCurrency      types.Currency
 	fileContractID types.FileContractID
-	hash256        types.Hash256
 	publicKey      types.PublicKey
 	hostSettings   rhpv2.HostSettings
 	hostPriceTable rhpv3.HostPriceTable
@@ -100,29 +99,6 @@ func (k secretKey) Value() (driver.Value, error) {
 	return []byte(k), nil
 }
 
-// GormDataType implements gorm.GormDataTypeInterface.
-func (hash256) GormDataType() string {
-	return "bytes"
-}
-
-// Scan scan value into address, implements sql.Scanner interface.
-func (h *hash256) Scan(value interface{}) error {
-	bytes, ok := value.([]byte)
-	if !ok {
-		return errors.New(fmt.Sprint("failed to unmarshal hash256 value:", value))
-	}
-	if len(bytes) != len(hash256{}) {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to unmarshal hash256 value due to invalid number of bytes %v != %v: %v", len(bytes), len(fileContractID{}), value)
-	}
-	*h = *(*hash256)(bytes)
-	return nil
-}
-
-// Value returns an addr value, implements driver.Valuer interface.
-func (h hash256) Value() (driver.Value, error) {
-	return h[:], nil
-}
-
 // GormDataType implements gorm.GormDataTypeInterface.
 func (fileContractID) GormDataType() string {
 	return "bytes"
diff --git a/stores/types_test.go b/stores/types_test.go
index 9e03078a0..7bd4c75a1 100644
--- a/stores/types_test.go
+++ b/stores/types_test.go
@@ -25,24 +25,24 @@ func TestTypeCurrency(t *testing.T) {
 	defer ss.Close()
 
 	// prepare the table
-	if isSQLite(ss.db) {
-		if err := ss.db.Exec("CREATE TABLE currencies (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,c BLOB);").Error; err != nil {
+	if isSQLite(ss.gormDB) {
+		if err := ss.gormDB.Exec("CREATE TABLE currencies (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,c BLOB);").Error; err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
 	} else {
-		if err := ss.db.Exec("CREATE TABLE currencies (id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY, c BLOB);").Error; err != nil {
+		if err := ss.gormDB.Exec("CREATE TABLE currencies (id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY, c BLOB);").Error; err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
 	}
 
 	// insert currencies in random order
-	if err := ss.db.Exec("INSERT INTO currencies (c) VALUES (?),(?),(?);", bCurrency(types.MaxCurrency), bCurrency(types.NewCurrency64(1)), bCurrency(types.ZeroCurrency)).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Exec("INSERT INTO currencies (c) VALUES (?),(?),(?);", bCurrency(types.MaxCurrency), bCurrency(types.NewCurrency64(1)), bCurrency(types.ZeroCurrency)).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
 	// fetch currencies and assert they're sorted
 	var currencies []bCurrency
-	if err := ss.db.Raw(`SELECT c FROM currencies ORDER BY c ASC`).Scan(&currencies).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Raw(`SELECT c FROM currencies ORDER BY c ASC`).Scan(&currencies).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	} else if !sort.SliceIsSorted(currencies, func(i, j int) bool {
 		return types.Currency(currencies[i]).Cmp(types.Currency(currencies[j])) < 0
@@ -99,10 +99,10 @@ func TestTypeCurrency(t *testing.T) {
 	for i, test := range tests {
 		var result bool
 		query := fmt.Sprintf("SELECT ? %s ?", test.cmp)
-		if !isSQLite(ss.db) {
+		if !isSQLite(ss.gormDB) {
 			query = strings.ReplaceAll(query, "?", "HEX(?)")
 		}
-		if err := ss.db.Raw(query, test.a, test.b).Scan(&result).Error; err != nil {
+		if err := ss.gormDB.Raw(query, test.a, test.b).Scan(&result).Error; err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		} else if !result {
 			t.Errorf("unexpected result in case %d/%d: expected %v %s %v to be true", i+1, len(tests), types.Currency(test.a).String(), test.cmp, types.Currency(test.b).String())
@@ -121,13 +121,13 @@ func TestTypeMerkleProof(t *testing.T) {
 	defer ss.Close()
 
 	// prepare the table
-	if isSQLite(ss.db) {
-		if err := ss.db.Exec("CREATE TABLE merkle_proofs (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,merkle_proof BLOB);").Error; err != nil {
+	if isSQLite(ss.gormDB) {
+		if err := ss.gormDB.Exec("CREATE TABLE merkle_proofs (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,merkle_proof BLOB);").Error; err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
 	} else {
-		ss.db.Exec("DROP TABLE IF EXISTS merkle_proofs;")
-		if err := ss.db.Exec("CREATE TABLE merkle_proofs (id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY, merkle_proof BLOB);").Error; err != nil {
+		ss.gormDB.Exec("DROP TABLE IF EXISTS merkle_proofs;")
+		if err := ss.gormDB.Exec("CREATE TABLE merkle_proofs (id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY, merkle_proof BLOB);").Error; err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
 	}
@@ -135,13 +135,13 @@ func TestTypeMerkleProof(t *testing.T) {
 	// insert merkle proof
 	mp1 := merkleProof{proof: []types.Hash256{{3}, {1}, {2}}}
 	mp2 := merkleProof{proof: []types.Hash256{{4}}}
-	if err := ss.db.Exec("INSERT INTO merkle_proofs (merkle_proof) VALUES (?), (?);", mp1, mp2).Error; err != nil {
+	if err := ss.gormDB.Exec("INSERT INTO merkle_proofs (merkle_proof) VALUES (?), (?);", mp1, mp2).Error; err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
 	// fetch first proof
 	var first merkleProof
-	if err := ss.db.
+	if err := ss.gormDB.
 		Raw(`SELECT merkle_proof FROM merkle_proofs`).
 		Take(&first).
 		Error; err != nil {
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ func TestTypeMerkleProof(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// fetch both proofs
 	var both []merkleProof
-	if err := ss.db.
+	if err := ss.gormDB.
 		Raw(`SELECT merkle_proof FROM merkle_proofs`).
 		Scan(&both).
 		Error; err != nil {
diff --git a/stores/wallet.go b/stores/wallet.go
index d5c3e9a84..ff8053358 100644
--- a/stores/wallet.go
+++ b/stores/wallet.go
@@ -2,12 +2,10 @@ package stores
 
 import (
 	"context"
-	"errors"
 
 	"go.sia.tech/core/types"
 	"go.sia.tech/coreutils/wallet"
 	"go.sia.tech/renterd/stores/sql"
-	"gorm.io/gorm"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -16,24 +14,17 @@ var (
 
 // Tip returns the consensus change ID and block height of the last wallet
 // change.
-func (s *SQLStore) Tip() (types.ChainIndex, error) {
-	var cs dbConsensusInfo
-	if err := s.db.
-		Model(&dbConsensusInfo{}).
-		First(&cs).Error; errors.Is(err, gorm.ErrRecordNotFound) {
-		return types.ChainIndex{}, nil
-	} else if err != nil {
-		return types.ChainIndex{}, err
-	}
-	return types.ChainIndex{
-		Height: cs.Height,
-		ID:     types.BlockID(cs.BlockID),
-	}, nil
+func (s *SQLStore) Tip() (ci types.ChainIndex, err error) {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(s.shutdownCtx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+		ci, err = tx.Tip(s.shutdownCtx)
+		return err
+	})
+	return
 }
 
 // UnspentSiacoinElements returns a list of all unspent siacoin outputs
 func (s *SQLStore) UnspentSiacoinElements() (elements []types.SiacoinElement, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 		elements, err = tx.UnspentSiacoinElements(context.Background())
 		return
 	})
@@ -43,7 +34,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) UnspentSiacoinElements() (elements []types.SiacoinElement, er
 // WalletEvents returns a paginated list of events, ordered by maturity height,
 // descending. If no more events are available, (nil, nil) is returned.
 func (s *SQLStore) WalletEvents(offset, limit int) (events []wallet.Event, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 		events, err = tx.WalletEvents(context.Background(), offset, limit)
 		return
 	})
@@ -52,7 +43,7 @@ func (s *SQLStore) WalletEvents(offset, limit int) (events []wallet.Event, err e
 
 // WalletEventCount returns the number of events relevant to the wallet.
 func (s *SQLStore) WalletEventCount() (count uint64, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(context.Background(), func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) (err error) {
 		count, err = tx.WalletEventCount(context.Background())
 		return
 	})
diff --git a/stores/webhooks.go b/stores/webhooks.go
index 02516c419..e7e3782ea 100644
--- a/stores/webhooks.go
+++ b/stores/webhooks.go
@@ -8,19 +8,19 @@ import (
 )
 
 func (s *SQLStore) AddWebhook(ctx context.Context, wh webhooks.Webhook) error {
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.AddWebhook(ctx, wh)
 	})
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) DeleteWebhook(ctx context.Context, wh webhooks.Webhook) error {
-	return s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	return s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		return tx.DeleteWebhook(ctx, wh)
 	})
 }
 
 func (s *SQLStore) Webhooks(ctx context.Context) (whs []webhooks.Webhook, err error) {
-	err = s.bMain.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
+	err = s.db.Transaction(ctx, func(tx sql.DatabaseTx) error {
 		whs, err = tx.Webhooks(ctx)
 		return err
 	})