I am building an 800g FOWLR tank. I have another thread for the build. But for this thread I am asking for advise or opinions on what color sand I should use for the tank. Here is a little info...
The tank is viewable from all sides. The overflows are in columns toward the center. It is 36" tall (stand is 42"). It will house mainly Triggers, Tangs, Angels and Wrasses (and of course a porky puffer )
For the aquascape I have cut Marco Rock in blocks and creating a city of ruins based on the ruins of Palmyra. I also made columns out of PVC and covered them in white reef sand.
My goal is to eventually grow Coraline algae on the rock formations. For lighting I am using three Kessil AP9X.
My original thought was to use black sand. I currently have black sand in my temporary tank. I like that it looks different and rather industrial and matches my office decor. But yes I have already had someone clean the tank and scratch the low-e glass. I also like that it has some white sand mixed in (very little) but adds character. My fish do like to move the sand around and it does not create much of any sand storms. And I like that algae on the sand doesn't really show.
On the other hand the color of the fish do not pop that well. So I am thinking of white sand. But I hate when it looks dirty and it will not be an easy job to clean or even stir up. And it will not make my aquascape pop as well. But again, the fish colors do seem to look way better.
On my current tanks I do not have great lighting so I don't know if I can compensate with stronger lights (the Kessils) to help show off the fish colors if black would work well.
And I thought I could mix black and white sand. Either mostly white or mostly black.
Also the stand will be open just like you see in the picture. I will be using black and other colored PVC for the plumbing. The second image is of my office where the tank will be placed.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Opinions?
Thanks
Steve
The tank is viewable from all sides. The overflows are in columns toward the center. It is 36" tall (stand is 42"). It will house mainly Triggers, Tangs, Angels and Wrasses (and of course a porky puffer )
For the aquascape I have cut Marco Rock in blocks and creating a city of ruins based on the ruins of Palmyra. I also made columns out of PVC and covered them in white reef sand.
My goal is to eventually grow Coraline algae on the rock formations. For lighting I am using three Kessil AP9X.
My original thought was to use black sand. I currently have black sand in my temporary tank. I like that it looks different and rather industrial and matches my office decor. But yes I have already had someone clean the tank and scratch the low-e glass. I also like that it has some white sand mixed in (very little) but adds character. My fish do like to move the sand around and it does not create much of any sand storms. And I like that algae on the sand doesn't really show.
On the other hand the color of the fish do not pop that well. So I am thinking of white sand. But I hate when it looks dirty and it will not be an easy job to clean or even stir up. And it will not make my aquascape pop as well. But again, the fish colors do seem to look way better.
On my current tanks I do not have great lighting so I don't know if I can compensate with stronger lights (the Kessils) to help show off the fish colors if black would work well.
And I thought I could mix black and white sand. Either mostly white or mostly black.
Also the stand will be open just like you see in the picture. I will be using black and other colored PVC for the plumbing. The second image is of my office where the tank will be placed.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Opinions?
Thanks
Steve