black sand?

[jewcy240]

I wish to but natural black sand in my tank,but i've heard that the light wont reflect as well. ant thoughts?

 

[kaserpick]

I've heard the same, but if you like the look, you like the look.

 

[justin23]

well, of course light won't reflect as well...since it's black. But if you have enough light, and are selecting this sand for asthetic reasons, go for it. It looks sweet!

 

[Frag Collector]

I just broke down a 14 gal bio cube that I had set up with black sand. Let me tell you I thought it would be so cool. I will not be useing black sand in the future.

Hope it helps.

 

[jewcy240]

thanks for all the posts, and Frag Collector why did you not like the black sand?

 

[honda70kid]

i have black sand right now in my 29 and i love it!!!

 

[vyerous]

I have black sand in my 55 and I won't be using it in my new tank for a few reasons.

First I like the natural look of white sand. Second the black sand has metal flakes in it, thus mag float + sand = scratching. Third, I know stuff shows up on white sand but on black sand I feel like it is 10x worse. Just my .02

 

[Zire]

I have black sand in my 95 gallon reef. I agree about the metal flake problem but I've learned to just avoid the very bottom and it's alright. I do like the look however, it makes the tank look distinct. Th only issue I have is that it is very possible it does not reflect light very well, but I haven't seen that proven so...

 

[buy_baff]

I have 75% white and 25% black in my 90gallon I think this looks better than just white because it breaks it up a little. The black dose stick to a mag float.

 

[seabayaquatic]

I have found metal flakes or chips in all sands, white, pink, black, live, dry and crushed coral. I prefer the black sand look too, it's nice because brown diatoms don't show up like it does on the light colored sands. The tank will have a more modern and distinct look. I say go for it!

 

[jewcy240]

I went with Indo-Pacific Black sand from Carib sea. its ok

 

[syrinx]

The only tank I have with black sand is well scratched from it. As far as light reflection, I just redid hy home tank from BB to white sand- and it is startlingly brighter. The third fact which has not been brought up hertofor- some fish will be darker and/or duller with a dark bottom. Some fish also will wash out with bright substrate- so you might look into your fish choices before deciding on substrate.

 

[Philwd]

My 150 was set up with black sand. I feel it handled flow much better. Also the contrast it gave the corals was fantastic. Some things show up but it hides more than it shows. When I took it out after 5 years it seemed to be in very good shape. No sulfide zones (taken out because tank is coming down). It might be a bit darker but for me the contrast more than compensated.

 

[ROLLINS240Z]

I would love to see a picture of black sand in a tank. Anyone???

 

[Philwd]

look in my gallery

 

[Creetin]

Look at seachems greycoast. I used it in my new tank, and like it alot. Its not pure black its a charcoal grey and you dont notice the other stuff so much. Its arag so no metal. Ant sand that gets caught in a magfloat will scratch your glass.
Send seachem a pm and ask for a sample, They sent me one.

 

[toonces]

The very first picture in my gallery is a 29 gallon I had set up when I was in Iceland, using black sand collected from one of the beaches there. The lava rocks are locally collected as well.

Don't get too excited- I didn't have alot to work with out there.

 

[wschang812]

black sand looks nice. if you have a strong enough light, you should def. go for it. i think it makes the fish and coral colors in the tank much more distinct

 

[rehype]

I had black sand on two of my previous tanks and must say i missed the natural look of white sand.

 

[sober_pollock]

O.K......Just throwing this question out there.....

Does any one know if there are any fish, crabs, snails, etc. that don't do well on one color or the other?

Does it matter to any fish or inverts?