Black or white sand ??

[Zoa man]

Need sand for my 120g. Might try some black this time but don't wanna regret it. What's everyone's opinion ? Thanks

 

[cwagner122]

I have black sand in my nano and it looks awsome imo but just like with a black car everything shows up a lot more on it. And I'm guessing because its volcanic? Rock initially be careful when cleaning the glass down by the sand as it seems to scratch the glass easier than agronite sand.

 

[Rollins4Miles]

I use black sand in all my tanks - or at least used to. I'm running bare bottom at the moment since I'll have to relocate the tank within a year. Anywho, I like the look of a blacked-out tank. I call them graffiti tanks as everything is blacked out and the colors of the coral and fish just seem to pop out of the tank. A lighter colored substrate is more natural and will reflect more light back up. Both black and lighter colored substrates will get dirty and there's really not much difference between the two. When they get dirty you'll need to clean regardless.

I've used the black Arag-Alive and I've used Estes black sand. The Arag-Alive is a decent substrate. It's heavier and coarser than sand - almost like a gravel. It doesn't stick to magnets but if it gets caught in the pad of your cleaner it can easily scratch your glass. It's heavy and will not get sucked up a syphon while cleaning. I used the Estes when I had a stingray. This is a smooth, fine sand that can get blown around very easily and can be syphoned out during water changes. I prefer the look of the Estes over the Arag-Alive.

 

[Zoa man]

Thanks. I would live pure black sand but not sure which one.

 

[Eastamherstbias]

I use Hawaiian Blank from Caribe Sea. It is 90% black 8% white and 2% brown. I spoke to the rep at Caribe Sea. Apparently they are mining from a new spot and that is why there is a tiny amt of brown.

 

[Zoa man]

What about black moon sand? I can get that easily and its pure black?

 

[Dapg8gt]

I've heard of black sand having traces of heavy metals in some of it.. Way to tell is use a magnet if it sticks it's bad. Read thread or two about it over the years and was always in my mind so never tried it.. Love the look of it though..

 

[Reefer54]

I've heard of black sand having traces of heavy metals in some of it.. Way to tell is use a magnet if it sticks it's bad. Read thread or two about it over the years and was always in my mind so never tried it.. Love the look of it though..

On another note, though mentioned above, black sand will absorb light (and some heat, though barely worth mentioning, it can help if you have big temp swings night to day or run without a chiller that keeps your temp very constant in the hotter months) while lighter sand will reflect it, and quite a few corals do depend on this reflected light for proper growth and health.

But the black does look sick

 

[Zoa man]

I have to make a choice I think between black moon sand and regular ol white

 

[Zoa man]

What about caribsea black moon sand. Do I really need to worry about ph?