Is there a benefit to black or white sand?

chaoticdamsel

chaoticdamsel

Member
I put black sand in my 14 gallon nano and it looks really cool, but it's kind of like a black car... every little speck of detritus is painfully obvious.
 
turningtim

turningtim

Active Member
Some say that white is better for a reef b/c it reflects the light back up toward the corals. Black obviously will absorb light so the tank will seem darker.
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
from what i read a week ago, black sand does not help buffer the tank and keep calcium in check
 
turningtim

turningtim

Active Member
Originally Posted by renogaw
http:///forum/post/2944763
from what i read a week ago, black sand does not help buffer the tank and keep calcium in check
Actually , how much does any sand help with buffering and CA? Does it depend on just the type of sand or the amount used in a tank? Do tanks with DSB's and RDSB's have a higher buffing capacity? I have always doubted this. Don't know why?
Is there any data that proves this.

I'm not busting your chops Reno, just really curious.......
Tim
 
drtito

drtito

Member
I have black sand and I have grown to hate it. If I could start all over again I would use the white sand sold here on SWF.coms site. I seem to have to clean it to often.
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
hmm, let me go look it up. i think it has to do with aragonite disolving helping the calcium stay in check
 
turningtim

turningtim

Active Member
Originally Posted by renogaw
http:///forum/post/2945940
hmm, let me go look it up. i think it has to do with aragonite disolving helping the calcium stay in check
Again I understand the theory (buffing etc.) But what about all the rage in bare-bottom tanks a couple of years back? Has anyone had to "top off" sand b/c it was depleted? My tank went for 6 years. Never noticed a difference in quantity of sand?
With so many other things in this hobby, I'm just thinking "urban Legend"....
 
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