BLACK SAND?

[erinmegan85]

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.

Could that be the white flecks in there? Not that it looks like it would be nearly enough, but just a thought.

 

[Fudsey]

Carib-Sea Indio-Pacific is Aragonite and is what I have and also has some magnetic pieces. I suspect that it might be a mix of sands to give it the black but also the white(ish) mix in it.

 

[Congaken]

My understanding is that the mixed, black aragonite comes from Hawaii...

 

[Stew18]

Keep the answers coming. I am learning a ton. Thanks

 

[Quah]

I think that Indo Pacific is a mix (hence the white) but the Hawaiian black sand is (probably) an igneous rock (maybe basalt) due to erosion from the hardened lava flows.

 

[Congaken]

I think that Indo Pacific is a mix (hence the white) but the Hawaiian black sand is (probably) an igneous rock (maybe basalt) due to erosion from the hardened lava flows.

Than you think that none of the black grains on any of these sands are aragonite...is there a black aragonite?...:confused:

 

[Quah]

Than you think that none of the black grains on any of these sands are aragonite...is there a black aragonite?...:confused:

I don't think there is a black aragonite since aragonite is a mineral formed of calcium carbonate and calcium carbonate when produced is always a white(ish) colored compound.

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

I love mine when I had it, but come to find out it's mostly volcanic rock, thus you get whatever other minerals are in it as well.
In my case when I had black sand most of my corals looked rather 'bleh'. They didn't look terrible but polyp extension was fair to medium, and colors were semi-vibrant.
I did a triton test and found aluminum elevated. After removing the sand I've not seen elevated aluminum.
I think the biggest problem is we can't really account for the source and the majority of elements in different bags. (unless the company had strict collection rules/tests?)

 

[incloud design]

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.

I had never thought of it before but a couple months ago I needed another heater and didn't want it visible. I put a Finnex 500x right in my overflow and it works great. Can't see it and Finnex says put it in high flow area. Can't get more flow than an overflow. Its supposed to be kept horizontal for accuracy but I have 4 heaters throughout my system so I've calibrated them all to know my temps. Stays rock stable. I keep my tanks 73-74 f. I've always had better results at lower temps and less algae in my experience. Hope it helps!

 

[Fudsey]

I had never thought of it before but a couple months ago I needed another heater and didn't want it visible. I put a Finnex 500x right in my overflow and it works great. Can't see it and Finnex says put it in high flow area. Can't get more flow than an overflow. Its supposed to be kept horizontal for accuracy but I have 4 heaters throughout my system so I've calibrated them all to know my temps. Stays rock stable. I keep my tanks 73-74 f. I've always had better results at lower temps and less algae in my experience. Hope it helps!

Unfortunately or maybe the other way around, that tank is gone. Cracked the center support. And everything in it died from velvet or ick. Rock had been bleached and broken up into small pieces, reassembled into new structure and put in my waterbox.

Thanks though :-)

 

[incloud design]

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.

I had never thought of it before but a couple months ago I needed another heater and didn't want it visible. I put a Finnex 500x right in my overflow and it works great. Can't see it and Finnex says put it in high flow area. Can't get more flow than an overflow. Its supposed to be kept horizontal for accuracy but I have 4 heaters throughout my system so I've calibrated them all to know my temps. Stays rock stable. I keep my tanks 73-74 f. I've always had better results with lower temps.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

My wife has black sand in her 32, and I have to agree with jsker, the corals do pop. For my taste it's a little too dark so I'm going figi pink in mine. It boils down to what you like and what you want. I also scrape down low to eliminate scratches.