I want black sand for my new Nano... few ??

[shari2shop]

I am in the process of setting up a 12gallon JBJ Nano Cube. I have seen several pictures of tanks with black sand. Of course I have several questions about this.... :help:
How much sand should I use? I was thinking 20 pounds.
Is it possbile to find "live" black sand anywhere? Online or in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area.
If I can't get live black sand, would it eventually become live if I use live rock?
Are there different kinds of black sand? I have found Tahitian Moon sand. Are their other types?
Thanks for the help!!
:needhelp:
Shari

 

[duke13]

Black sand is more for looks. Be aware that it's a lot finer than other sands and it is harder for critters to thrive in it. I would compensate with a lot more LR because you're probably going to lack the benefits from a very established sand bed.

 

[squidd]

Black sand is a volcanic obsidian, rather than an aragonite or caco3 based sand...
It has "sharp" broken edges rather than a rounder oolitic shape, and is quite a bit lighter and prone to blow around in the flow...
Bacteria will grow on it but it is not favorable towards becoming a thriving "living sand bed"
Being black, it looks cool...for about 3 months...and then every light colored peice of deitrus, rock or shell "chip" sticks out like a neon sign..and is almost impossible to clean..
It also has the nasty habit of allowing organics to "filter through" almost like CC, because it does not "pack down" like an aragonite would..
That said...I used it... for about 3 or 4 months...Then it started to look like crap...

 

[shari2shop]

Originally posted by Squidd
Being black, it looks cool...for about 3 months...and then every light colored peice of deitrus, rock or shell "chip" sticks out like a neon sign..and is almost impossible to clean..
It also has the nasty habit of allowing organics to "filter through" almost like CC, because it does not "pack down" like an aragonite would..
That said...I used it... for about 3 or 4 months...Then it started to look like crap...
Well you definately have some very valid points that I had never even considered. THANK YOU!!!
So, I'm going to scratch the black sand idea and just go with the tried and true traditional live sand.
Thanks!
Shari