Difference between these sands?

[ndz98]

What's the difference between these two sands? Is the super naturals okay to use in saltwater? Does it look the same?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Yes, both are for marine application....the "moon" is black, while the regular is......regular tan. I've found that most (if not all) black sands have a ferric component which makes cleaning your glass with a MAG type cleaner difficult. This ferric portion wants to stick to the MAG cleaner, potentially scratching your glass.

Also, you'll find much better pricing on some other places like Foster's and Smith. Here's 20 lbs of Moon for under $23.


EDIT TO ADD: Oops, I'm sorry, I just noticed you picked the "Hawaiian Black" for what I though was "standard" Carib Sea.....sorry.

 

[Roboson]

One is for freshwater and is filled with freshwater bacteria. You'd have to rinse it, dry it fully, and rinse it well again. Otherwise you'd just be adding a ton of dead bacteria to your tank.

Unless there is a significant difference in grain size, they're both black sands with maybe a few white bits mixed in.

 

[Bunnee911]

You need to rinse it anyway.

 

[Roboson]

Yeah, but when I say rinse, I mean RINSE. Otherwise you're starting off with a lot of dead gunk in your tank. The rinse for the sand itself is just to get rid of the dust. If you go for the freshwater stuff, you'd have to sterilize it. Or just accept that you'd have high nitrates right from the get go.

 

[cmcoker]

Those are both sands that list marine use.. So I don't think you would need to "Sterilize" it..

 

[Roboson]

I can't tell actually. The first one seems like it's for freshwater. But it does mention marine. I can't tell just from the picture. If it's marine; it's good. If it's fresh, it's not.

 

[Untamedrose]

The second one has FW fish on it.... I'd assume it have FW bacteria in it.

Also think the whole live sand in a bag thing is ...well snake oil at this point. If your wanting black sand, on a budget. http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/black-diamond-medium-blasting-abrasives
Yes rinse the heck out of it....and it will be fine.