Black Sand

[cutie mcwhiskers]

Hi,

I'm thinking of setting up a 10-20gal planted tank and would like to use black sand,
so far i've found two products, Tahitian moon sand and Seachem onyx sand.
Seachem says that if you use the onyx sand in a planted tank then it's not necessary
to use laterite etc.

So i was just wondering:

1. if anyone has any experience with either products?

2. do they fade over time?

3. is Seachem onyx sand any good when used alone in a planted tank?

Any info would be much appreciated, cheers.

 

[Gankutsuou]

Tahitian moon sand I have used with much success. It settles faster than normals sand and looks better IMO.

I mixed my black sand with white for an interesting look. I don';t know about the other, but Tahitian moon works great with plants if you get a deep enough layer...

 

[methodmza_uk]

I used an inch layer of fine gravel. Then put about 2cm of sand on top. My plants have rooted well and looking very healthy.

 

[cutie mcwhiskers]

thanks for the replys guys!

methodmza do you put something between the gravel and sand layers to stop them mixing?

 

[cutie mcwhiskers]

Has anyone else had experience with either product?

 

[methodmza_uk]

No I didnt, probably should have. Was advised to put some pond soil for better plant growth, but I didnt in the end.
Some of the sand has filtered through gravel. But it leaves quit a good effect when you can see bits of gravel. Realistic.

 

[Teelie]

I have Tahitian Moon in a 29g and it looks great. I haven't tried planting in it yet though. It's smooth and has a light grain so it does fly up easy but will sink fast too.

 

[cutie mcwhiskers]

does anyone know where i could get something to sepparate the gravel and sand layers?

 

[Paul_MTS]

You can buy Algrade Gravel tidies, which is a fine mesh designed to seperate substrate layers.

I found tahitan moon sand to be quite sharp so maybe not so good with sensitive catfish.

I didn't like how it was quite a course grade aswell, making it more of a fine gravel than sand.

 

[Gankutsuou]

I found the same with the black sand on sharpness, but the white sand is smoother than anything there is. I guess that's another reason I'm in love with my mix

and it works great fro plants. so far I've had no plant casualties on its behalf! and my plants all are growing fine.

 

[Betta5]

black sand it rubbish

 

[Teelie]

My black sand is fine. I have corydoras sterbai and snails who dig in it all the time and have had no problems. Maybe you got a bad batch or something?

 

[jgray152]

I use Tahitian moon sand in my tank with great success. I have to live plants in there too. One is huge the other is growing. I also have white sand in my 30 gallon with good success too.

I think sand is the biggest step to a healthy clean tank. No maintenance involved. I love it.

 

[MsDad]

I've used Black Onyx and really liked it. I've never had any problems with it getting stirred up, but do make sure you rinse it VERY well before you put it in your tank. I learned that lesson the hard way (translates to an almost 100% water change PLUS several days' use of a H.O.T. Magnum filter).

Eddie

 

[jgray152]

Or just put all of it in without cleaning it, since its a PITA.

Spend $60 on the Diatom D1 Filter and have it clean the water in about 2 hours. Keep stirring up the sand and the water will clear right up.