Black or natural sand?

[Rosenbaumn]

Your tank, you have to live with it - so your choice. Avoid white but otherwise get what you like. I happen to prefer dark but had natural for many years - and one of my tanks still does.

How much sand would I need for this tank?

 

[Byron]

Given that you have substrate-level fish that interact in various ways with the substrate, the sand must be fine and smooth grained. And inert (some sands will raise GH/pH). Darker is better, but pure black is not all that good for fish, including some mentioned here. A dark grey and natural buff tone sand, i.e., "natural" sand to most people, would be the best fit. As for how much, you want a spread layer of 1.5 to 2 inches (3-5 cm) depth when you put the rinsed sand into the empty tank and spread it out. I use dark grey play sand, and a 25kg bag would be all you need for this sized tank (and some to spare, always good).

 

[Treestone]

Joint sand is usually the same as the play sand depending on the brand. It isn't washed or heat sterilised but it is a bit cheaper.

 

[Byron]

Joint sand is usually the same as the play sand depending on the brand. It isn't washed or heat sterilised but it is a bit cheaper.

Unfortunately it is also less safe. Play Sand is the most refined of the "industrial" type sands; it is tumble-processed to be non-abrasive. All other construction-type sands are too rough for substrate fish. A bag of play sand at Home Depot is only a couple dollars. Brands are important though. Quikrete Play Sand is about the safest sand available in North America, and in the UK the Argos brand I understand is also OK.

 

[Treestone]

Unfortunately it is also less safe. Play Sand is the most refined of the "industrial" type sands; it is tumble-processed to be non-abrasive. All other construction-type sands are too rough for substrate fish. A bag of play sand at Home Depot is only a couple dollars. Brands are important though. Quikrete Play Sand is about the safest sand available in North America, and in the UK the Argos brand I understand is also OK.

I don't know where OP's from but here at least it's all mined from the same place and isn't any more refined in the sense of grain size or abrasiveness except for the removing of fine dust-like particles.

 

[Byron]

I don't know where OP's from but here at least it's all mined from the same place and isn't any more refined in the sense of grain size or abrasiveness except for the removing of fine dust-like particles.

Then I would not use it. I spoke with the Quikrete manufacturer's office a few years ago when researching these sands, and their play sand is the most refined sand they produce, and he explained how (and why) they process it so much. Kids throw it, they "eat" it, and it needs to be as safe as it can being sand.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Then I would not use it. I spoke with the Quikrete manufacturer's office a few years ago when researching these sands, and their play sand is the most refined sand they produce, and he explained how (and why) they process it so much. Kids throw it, they "eat" it, and it needs to be as safe as it can being sand.

I have to agree here...

I have had play sand in my tanks for over a year now - I don’t bother with all of that expensive stuff, the “nutrient enhanced” ones. Eventually, the nutrients will run out, and you are left with really expensive plain old sand.

I have had no problem with the Quikrete play sand, and I have it very easy to clean and to scape.

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Back to the conversation on black sand...

As @Byron said, an all-black sand is not good for the fish. Instead, a dark grey or light black. (Just take a look at @seangee’s signature picture. That is the color you want it. You can ask him what brand it is)

 

[Treestone]

If I understand correctly, you are saying that sand abrasiveness is the most important factor in sand quality, do you also mean the presence of organic matter can be detrimental? Most sands are mined onshore, offshore or river source. Most if not all play sands/joint sands in NZ are river mined. These rivers are habitat to many native bullies, galaxias, possibly torrent fish, etc... What does it matter to fish occurring similar river environments who may encounter such, heavier fine sand? Even if the sand may be slightly coarser than in their original environment how different would the results be?

As @Byron said, an all-black sand is not good for the fish.

In what way is all black sand 'not good for the fish'? I have iron sand in one of my tanks and IME the odessa barbs show some stunning colours over it. Isn't it just a matter of opinion?

 

[Rosenbaumn]

Okay, so I’ve decided on black sand, does anyone know where I can get decorations for a fair price in the US? I want to do rocks or driftwood with moss and plants

 

[Rosenbaumn]

whatever would look good on black sand

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Okay, so I’ve decided on black sand, does anyone know where I can get decorations for a fair price in the US? I want to do rocks or driftwood with moss and plants

Do you want natural decor or artificial decor?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

In what way is all black sand 'not good for the fish'? I have iron sand in one of my tanks and IME the odessa barbs show some stunning colours over it. Isn't it just a matter of opinion?

I don’t actually know the real reason, I’ve just always been told that.

 

[Byron]

If I understand correctly, you are saying that sand abrasiveness is the most important factor in sand quality, do you also mean the presence of organic matter can be detrimental? Most sands are mined onshore, offshore or river source. Most if not all play sands/joint sands in NZ are river mined. These rivers are habitat to many native bullies, galaxias, possibly torrent fish, etc... What does it matter to fish occurring similar river environments who may encounter such, heavier fine sand? Even if the sand may be slightly coarser than in their original environment how different would the results be?

In what way is all black sand 'not good for the fish'? I have iron sand in one of my tanks and IME the odessa barbs show some stunning colours over it. Isn't it just a matter of opinion?

First thing to get clear is the needs of certain fish species with respect to the substrate. Corydoras catfish were mentioned, and these are filter feeders. They take in a mouthful of sand, filter out tiny food bits, and expel the sand via the gills. Some sand is also swallowed with the food. These fish all live over substrates of fine river sand or mud, or a combination. They are filter feeders, and if we care about the wellbeing of our fish we must be willing to provide accordingly. You can appreciate what risks are present if we put a rough sand in the aquarium with such fish.

That's one factor. Another that is related to sharpness/roughness is the barbel erosion risk. Self-obvious. And then there is the bacterial issue. The larger the grain size of the substrate, the less efficient is the breakdown of organics by bacteria. This causes bacterial issues for catfish barbels.

To the black sand...fish react to the substrate. Corydoras maintained over white substrates will have less intense colouration because of the substrate. The same works in reverse; black is not "natural" and the fish internally react and may darken their body colouration. In both cases it is a response of the fish to adverse (stressful) conditions brought on by the substrate. The fish has no control, this is something of an automatic reflex.

Aquarists often confuse what they want with what their fish require.

 

[Rosenbaumn]

Do you want natural decor or artificial decor?

Natural for sure, I want a new centerpiece that my fish could swim through,I really like grassy moss and I think my shrimp would enjoy it (they already love their moss balls) I like the look of driftwood or rocks with moss on them

 

[Retired Viking]

I switched from gravel to play sand last month and I am happy with it.