will color of sand determan color of ponies?

[Devaji108]

ok for my next question...
have been really thinking about black sand for my tank, however would that influnance the SH to be black to blend in?

I know there are many factors involved...anyone with using black sand...

 

[rayjay]

I don't use sand at all, but buying for colour is a waste of money as the seahorses will change to suit their own wants.
I bought reds and oranges and they turned yellows, browns, and brownish grey.
I bought blacks and they turned yellows and mottled grey.
I have tried painted the glass and going with coloured hitches but I've not been able to influence their colours to what I want.
Black sand may influence them but only in part as they will consider their total environment and personality to decide what colour they will be.

 

[luvabunny]

Black sand will not automatically cause your ponies to be black.
I have black sand in my tank, and the 5 black ponies that I bought turned a whole myriad of colors, including pink!
However, if your ponies aren't happy, they will probably turn black, and it will be blamed on the sand.
I have found that health and happiness have more to do with seahorse colors than colors in their neighborhood.

 

[Devaji108]

thanks for the feedback... I have a black and white mix in my fowlr and like it alot.
for this tank I was thinking of going deep black. I think that will look really good with the greens & reds of the marco.
but not quite sure yet.

 

[rayjay]

However, it also will make it harder to see any accumulations of uneaten food that should be removed.

 

[luvabunny]

....that's what a cleanup crew is for....
my sand is onyx black. I like the definition between the macros and corals. Really makes them stand out.
I've not had any problems with accumulations of food.
I tried to post a pic of my pink seahorse, but the pic is too big, and I can't figure out how to make it smaller to be post-able. Maybe tomorrow when hubby is awake....

 

[rayjay]

I know that some people with CUC have no problems but others do and I found in my case that CUC don't get it all, especially in areas trapped between or underneath rock work.
I no longer have the rock in the display, but have it in the sump, making vacuuming simple and viewing of seahorses much easier, and no clean up crew to buy and die off.

 

[namxas]

FWIW, most peeps end up hating pure black substrate as it tends to show every bit of dirt there is (think of how black cars tend to show dust). The 'salt-and-pepper' substrate removes the problem.

 

[Devaji108]

yeah that is what I was thinking to. humm
hey luvabunny can you post pics of your tank?

 

[luvabunny]

My camera is really awful. I have a few good closeups of the ponies and some corals, but I don't think I have a decent FTS.
As I said, I tried posting a couple of pics earlier, but they are too big.
Headed to work now. I will try again later this evening.