Black Sand.....

[maelv]

CaribSea sells a Indo - Pacific Black sand. I am going for a different look than that you find in your LFS with the typical sand color. Is there any issues in using this type of sand? I am relatively new at this and am trying to set up a reef tank (from a fish only at this moment). But if the black sand is going to be problematic or more difficult to maintain, then I will use the other kind. And CaribSea is the only brand that I have found at this time that carries the black sand, I am not stating they are the only brand I would use. Thanks

 

[michaeltx]

I found its little lighter and more apt to get cought up into currents and after a few months showed everything like a dirty black car does I personally wont ever use it again. when its first setup it looks great though.
mike

 

[maelv]

Thanks Mike, I will have to keep that in mind....anyone else have experience with black sand?

 

[the j.o.p.]

i am also very interested in using black sand. i can't wait to hear peoples suggestions.

 

[hatessushi]

I use the Tahitian moon live sand which is black and white sand. It looks like salt and pepper. This sand is not as fine as most of the white sands I have seen. It makes the bottom look kind of volcanic because mine came with black pebble pieces mixed in. My Diamond goby keeps it landscaped rather nicely and moves most of the pebbles to the sides of the tank. The white part of the sand is really white and the black stays black and does not look dirty probably because the goby takes care of it and crops the sand slightly away from the rock.
If you were to use just the black sand it may start to look dirty if you don't have a sand sifter other wise it would be fine.

 

[steve24]

i have "gray coast" by tidal marine, the tank has been up for 8 months now and it doesn`t show all the dirt like what was said earlier...

if and when i ever set up another tank, i`ll use it again to ...
steve

 

[shogun323]

My roomate has black and white sand. He has no problems with it. The only issue is that it looks very unnatural and makes the tank look a little dull.

 

[fanker]

i hve black and love it

 

[maelv]

Thanks for the pictures, My background is blue and I thought that with black sand and a blue background...when i eventually get the coraline going and start getting all the pretty colors in there, it would stand out more. I must say, I am liking what I see so far......decisions, decisions....

 

[maelv]

Originally Posted by fanker
i hve black and love it

What kind of black sand you have and where did you find it Fanker? Steve mentioned his...thanks.

 

[fanker]

i have tahisain(spelling?) moon i got it from a lfs, but email me at yamaha_dan@comcast.net

 

[yimmy]

All I know about blacksand is that some get stirred up really easy.

 

[fanker]

Originally Posted by Yimmy
All I know about blacksand is that some get stirred up really easy.
not at all

 

[yimmy]

really? I would've done black sand then, I was about to set up my tank with black sand but my LFS said it stirs up easy so you need a "low current" tank. I'm going to flip on them one of these days...but they give me my fish though

 

[fanker]

no i have alot of current and its fine

 

[steve24]

Originally Posted by Yimmy
All I know about blacksand is that some get stirred up really easy.
i have two Maxi-jet 1200`s (295gph) plus my filter with no problem of my sand being stired up...
steve

 

[fanker]

i have 2 sieo 820's a mag 9.5cl and a mag 5 return and no stir up

 

[acrylic51]

I've thought about using, but I've heard it shows dirt, but Fankers actually looks really good.....Give us a closeup of the sandbed PLEASE!!!!!!

 

[fanker]

 

[maelv]

This looks really good, thanks Fanker