BLACK SAND?

[Stew18]

I really love the look of black sand. Can someone tell me the pros and cons of black sand. I heard some of it is magnetic.

Thanks and God Bless America!

 

[Tehreefer]

Little pieces do stick to a mag float as they are magnetic and can scratch your tank up.

 

[fishyguy]

Makes the tank look way darker, corals and fish don't pop out as much. My hawaiian caribsea was leaching phosphates like crazy, my whole sandbed was covered in gha and it looked more like gravel. Probably will regret it like I did, went to seafloor special grade and lovin it. So far seafloor is my favorite out of the oolite, and black hawaiian sand I've tried in the past.

 

[wowkingjames]

I'm following, thinking of getting some as well for a 75 gal.

 

[Arsen]

I initially thought I wanted black sand and went with it. After about a month I started to hate it and had to start all over and with white sand this time :)

 

[Joshky]

I 10000% agree with everything already stated, and will add in that it gets visibly more nasty looking versus lighter colored sands.

 

[Fudsey]

I have black sand and can attest to it having magnetic pieces in it. I have quite a few scratches in my glass from it getting stuck to the mag float.

 

[Nihilus]

Like mentioned above, detritus really stands out on that darker surface. The whole sand bed can just take on a real unpleasant look if it's not maintained properly.

 

[Boesemani]

Black sand is really cool looking..........for the first week..........

 

[Djtonton]

Little pieces do stick to a mag float as they are magnetic and can scratch your tank up.

i agree with this 100% i was dead set on having it in my 265. i THOUGHT i was being careful when cleaning the glass NOPE scratches everywhere wont be using black sand again probably go with a larger crushed coral or something like that i mean i love the black sand but it destroyed my glass :(:oops::mad::mad::mad:

 

[Congaken]

I really love the look of black sand. Can someone tell me the pros and cons of black sand. I heard some of it is magnetic.

Thanks and God Bless America!

I think it depends on what you get...black aragonite which is sort of mixed colorwise should be fine...I've used the other black gravel in fresh water and it is magnetic...I'm planning on using the black aragonite in my 65 fowlr...opinions?:confused:

 

[Fudsey]

That's what I have it looks more speckled than black. The detritus can be a problem but if you keep up with it during your water changes, not a real problem.

 

[Quah]

Black sand doesn't contribute any buffering potential either.

 

[Congaken]

Black sand doesn't contribute any buffering potential either.

I believe it does if its aragonite...

 

[Congaken]

That's what I have it looks more speckled than black. The detritus can be a problem but if you keep up with it during your water changes, not a real problem.

ever think of painting the back black...that's what I'm doing...more stunning...:D

 

[Fudsey]

Thought about it a few times but then decide I like it because it looks like a deep red. Don't like the heater in the tank either but I need a reconfigure sump first as that one won't fit as it is now.

 

[jsker]

I have the black sand, and yes I have a couple of scratches and after learning that one has to be very careful when cleaning the glass with with a magnetic float. I use a scraper down low. I will also say that I have scratches on my glass from my vegie clip. In my old setups I still got scratches from the sand and poca shells.

I like the black sand for the reason my corals to pop with the lighting that I have and by keeping my trace elements in check. Remember anything in your tank is about personal preference and if you like black sand the put black sand in your tank.:)

 

[erinmegan85]

I have it in my 68 gallon and I love the way it looks so far. Then again I've only had water and sand in my tank for about a week. Haha. I now know to be careful with my mag float.

 

[erinmegan85]

Whoops double post. Here's a picture of the tank.

 

[Quah]

I believe it does if its aragonite...

If the sand is magnetic then it is not made from calcium carbonate and therefore not aragonite and cannot buffer the aquarium. Also calcium carbonate is a white(ish) mineral so it'd have to be dyed to be black.