Black Sand.... Should I?...

[Ryan_W]

So, new tank will be here in 2 weeks, and I'm deciding what colour substrate to go for...

Currently my tank looks like this:

It's got a white and orange sand substrate with red stones and black gravel. I'm not sure if I should carry this theme on into the new tank or flip it on its head and go with black sand, lots of wood and copious amounts of plants (even though they'll probably get muched by the fish...

I'd like to have something resembling this (obviously not quite as amazing but near to):

Would that work with black sand or not?

Cheers all,

Ryan

 

[Vin Swords]

these picture r mostlly photoshoped.. be aware...

 

[bassbonediva]

Is that an Amano tank (I think the guy who 'scapes them is named Takeshi Amano)? LOVE that guy!

Anyway, black sand would work with that 'scape, but it might make it a bit darker than you'd like. I have black sand (starting to mix with the red Flourite underneath) in my 29gal with skull decorations which are light in color, so they balance each other.

 

[Ryan_W]

Are there any recommendations for black sand. Unipack?

I may go for white sand with black gravel, similar to what I've already got but with a grater contrast.

Thanks,

Ryan

 

[bassbonediva]

I just bought generic black aquarium sand from my LFS when I did my 29gal. If you're going planted, I would probably suggest CaribSea Tahitian Black Moon sand, or Flourite's black onyx sand.

 

[KittyKat]

Fine black gravel: Dennerle, have been using it for almost two years now, great stuff.

If you're in UK, I can help you on the plants side as I'm planning to trim mine down soon (and I have a LOT of different species). You'll still need to come up with a concrete plan fist though and draw up a scape Those aquascapes are possible, but they'll only look like that for all of the day you take the photos on.

 

[Ryan_W]

Ahhhh, I need some black sand pics to help me make my mind up!

Whatever I choose, I'll be sure to make it look good, but don't wanna have any regrets... Bit of a contrast, black or white, but I wanna be sure!

 

[bassbonediva]

Here's a pic of my 29gal (with black aquarium sand on top and red Flourite underneath)

My 55gal with white pool filter sand

 

[GrayScale]

I have the outside back of the tank painted black with black sand. From what I've heard the darker the background and substrate the more the colors will stand out.

 

[KittyKat]

Same tank and different points in time:

White (just before moving house):

Black (just after moving house):

I really should take an updated snapshot, altho now is not the best time, given that I've started pulling out half the plants.

 

[Ryan_W]

Thanks so much for the pics!

After some thought, I think I'm going to go down the SA biotope route. Keep the sand I've already got and mix in 25kg of white sand. I'll either keep the black gravel (not ideal), or get some more 'earthy' coloured gravel to keep the biotope theme going...

Thanks all,

Ryan