Need help with sand

[Dilan Patel]

So again I am in the process of an upgradeand the tank will be anywhere from 125-150gallons. I want to go little sand so was thinking 100lb of black sand. I would rather start with dry black sand but cannot seem to find it. Is the only black sand I can get is live? what is your experience with black sand. Will this be a mistake in the long run? I do not gravel vac my sand

 

[Ty Hamatake]

The only downside I've heard about black sand (it may have been from BRS) is that it doesn't reflect any light. I don't see that effecting your pieces higher up, but may present a problem with the lower/on the sand ones.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

You can get black sand live yes. I hated mine. It's magnetic and sticks the mag float.

I still have some in the cube. Still sticks to the mag float.

 

[Ty Hamatake]

You can get black sand live yes. I hated mine. It's magnetic and sticks the mag float.

I still have some in the cube. Still sticks to the mag float.

Did you ever have problems with it getting under the pad and scratching the glass?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Did you ever have problems with it getting under the pad and scratching the glass?

Yup. It's in my 30 cube now. And yup. The glass got scratched.

 

[Ty Hamatake]

Yup. It's in my 30 cube now. And yup. The glass got scratched.

Mental note: black sand is bad.
Thanks Salty! :)

 

[SashimiTurtle]

I have some dry sand in my 10g fresh water that is not magnetic. It's really fine sand. Shows all kinds of detritus. I just put the carib sea Hawaiian black in my 35 cube, and it is magnetic. Large particles too. No go for a sand goby. I've been thinking of pulling it out and using a bunch of that really fine dry black sand, and a goby or two to keep it clean. The cory cats do a decent job in the FW and they just comb the top, not actually sift it like a goby will.

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

You can order the bottom tank painted in black or in black material, I rather have bare bottom tank instead using substrates of any types but it's just me though. I'm in the process removing my sand with each water change to keep the bottom with minimal of sand since I can't get all the sand out due to the rock work.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Here's the bag, and my 10g FW. It's non painted or coated all natural black sand. It's safe for saltwater, but it's pH neutral and will not buffer pH like aragonite sand will. Pretty sure the Hawaiian volcano rock sand won't either.

 

[Dilan Patel]

I do not think I will use black sand now. Ether white heavy sand or bare bottom.

 

[trevormass7]

I love my black sand[emoji50]

 

[trevormass7]

 

[trevormass7]

Sorry for the crappy picture. My phone sucks