Black Sand seahorse tanks?
- Thread starter NowasReef
- Start date
Gordonious
Active member
Good question. I would like to hear, and see, this also. I have a 20 high AGA which I just set up with some Indo pacific aragalive which is black and white. I am hoping to use this tank as a sea horse tank.
I would take pics of what I have, but I have no LR and no lights so there really isn't anything to see at this point.
I would take pics of what I have, but I have no LR and no lights so there really isn't anything to see at this point.
ReefNutPA
New member
Yes, that's the 29 gallon tank. I haven't had any issues with the black sand. Any dirt/algae tends to be less noticeable so it gives a "cleaner" appearance. This sandbed is about 1 1/2" deep and it's CaribSea Tahitian Moon Sand. I don't think, however, I would have used this sand if I were doing a DSB like I have in my reefs. The particle shapes/sizes are much different than the white oolitic sand mainly used for DSB's.
Tom
Tom
zoster.keeper
New member
Yes, black sand is a good option for seahorses. It brings out their natural color. It also is easier to spot unwanted stuff on the bottom. (so it's easier to see what to clean)
Gordonious
Active member
What do you who have kept horses think of the indo pacific arag alive?
ReefNutPA
New member
There is nothing wrong with the indo pacific arag alive. I just didn't care for the salt/pepper look when I used it once. This might not make any sense....but when I look at a tank I like the aquascaping and livestock to "pop" and be the focal point. When I used the black/white sand I found it to be a distraction as my eyes constantly went to the sandbed. Maybe I'm just odd LOL (No need for anyone to comment on me being odd 
)
It's really just a matter of preference and what you like to look at.
Tom
)It's really just a matter of preference and what you like to look at.
Tom
Gordonious
Active member
I've been reading a little bit here and there about sand beds in planning for my whole system. I bought to little aragalive to begin so I had to purchase more and then was trying to figure out how much more. They say some of the plants/algae people put in there tanks for seahorses requires a deep sand bed(dsb). Though with a dsb you need strong circulation. Though with sea horses you don't want to strong a current. So I have just been trying to figure out where to comprimse and what has been tried in the past.
Brock Fluharty
New member
I agree on the Indo Pacific sand. It's looks almost dirty...
What I see a lot is people that sue blakc sand in dwarf tanks. It makes it easy to spot the horses, and any fry that may have popped while you were gone lol.
Reefnut...
Your tnak makesme sick...with envy. Every time I see that shot, I think to myself "There isn't even any water in that tank", then I see the horses lol.
if you saw my seahorse tank, you'd probably wash your EYES out with alcohol.
Brock
What I see a lot is people that sue blakc sand in dwarf tanks. It makes it easy to spot the horses, and any fry that may have popped while you were gone lol.
Reefnut...
Your tnak makesme sick...with envy. Every time I see that shot, I think to myself "There isn't even any water in that tank", then I see the horses lol.
if you saw my seahorse tank, you'd probably wash your EYES out with alcohol.
Brock
Gordonious
Active member
LOL I thought the same thing. If I had started the thread I would have posted asking if they had photos with water in the tank before realizing there were sea horses floating in it, lol.
Black and white sand
Black and white sand
Here's a pic of my tank with a mixed black and white sand bed. It's 2 parts black CaribSea Tahitian Moon mixed with one part live white sand. I think this mix is a bit more black than the IndoPacific sand.
I think there are as many different ideas about what makes for a pretty tank as there are people. I liked the mixed sand look as I think it's a bit more interesting then plain white and a bit more natural than all black.
Black and white sand
Here's a pic of my tank with a mixed black and white sand bed. It's 2 parts black CaribSea Tahitian Moon mixed with one part live white sand. I think this mix is a bit more black than the IndoPacific sand.
I think there are as many different ideas about what makes for a pretty tank as there are people. I liked the mixed sand look as I think it's a bit more interesting then plain white and a bit more natural than all black.
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ReefNutPA
New member
Most importantly the paint/coating on FW gravel (at least the 4 brands I have at the store) is not saltwater safe and will erode in saltwater. Secondly, dwarf fry will get trapped in the gravel (there are posts on this where this has happened to a few hobbyists who tried using gravel) as well as bbs going into the gravel bed and dying and/or detritus falling into the coarse gravel instead of being removed by the filter.
It's always best to use only saltwater safe substrates such as sand or other aragonite/calcium based substrate in ANY saltwater tank.
Tom
It's always best to use only saltwater safe substrates such as sand or other aragonite/calcium based substrate in ANY saltwater tank.
Tom
