Black Sand

[dan10342]

So simply put; what is the deal with black sand in a reef tank?:blown:

 

[jacksonpt]

Looks, mostly. Some people think the dark sand contrasts better making colors "pop" more. There is also some talk/belief that most black sand on the market right now is silica based and thus causes algae problems in long term use.

 

[iamwrasseman]

i would personaly stay away from it as i have just read two different treads where it is causing problems .one is rusting ans turning red and the other is having major algae and cyno outbreak . just trying to help.

 

[toddmh]

i have it in my 120g and white in my 60cube..The black looks good,also so does the white..As for cyno...both get it evenly as far as see anyway..

I use.. CaribSea Tropic Isle Tahitian Moon Sand for a few months,I like it so far..If you guys want I can keep you posted on how it holds up..

http://www.marinedepot.com/CaribSea...Reef_Aquariums-CaribSea-CS0821-FISSDS-vi.html

 

[iamwrasseman]

okay best of luck to you ! got any pictures as i like different looking tanks and would enjoy checking it out .

 

[kase]

Don't go black sand it a pain to keep clean. I HATE IT WITH A PASSION.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

black sand has it's uses

black sand has it's uses

certain gobies that occur in areas of volcanic (black) sand will fail to "color up" unless kept with black sand.

 

[reefscape15]

I've used it mixed with Fiji Pink and it's turned to a duller charcoal/grey/black color over about a year. I used Natures Ocean brand.

 

[superkat]

i really like the look of black sand...planning on using it in my son's tank....some of the nicest display tanks i've seen i think i've liked so much because of the contrast with the black and the colors...diamond gobies really POP in black sand.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

black sand doesn't make anything "pop" in the sense that the term is usually used.

Diamond Gobies don't actually change coloration due to the use of black sand... they simply appear brighter because of the darker background color. Ditto with corals.

On the other hand, there ARE certain other Gobies that will only show their true coloration if black sand is used.

 

[superkat]

what Gobies fall into that category Gary?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

what Gobies fall into that category Gary?

many of the so called "prawn gobies". Cryptocentrus(?) species... (spelling alert!)
There are hundreds of Goby species. Maybe thousands. Probably more yet to be discovered and described.
there used to be an absolutely MIND BLOWING Goby site on the web but I believe they took it down a few years ago. Here's the next best thing:

http://www.fishbase.org/identification/specieslist.cfm?famcode=405&areacode=

 

[superkat]

whoa..................................

 

[dan10342]

ok thanks for the response.

I will be taking the sand out today...