Black Sand

[smokinjoe2122]

I am in planning mode for my new JBJ 28g and I have seen the look of black sand, and I am wondering if anyone uses black sand in their system, or would recommend a band that will help buffer. I have found some that has no effects on PH or Calcium. Also, would it trap more heat due to it's reflectivity?? If anyone can shed any light on black sand, it would be great. Also I would want to use just sand, I have used crushed coral before and I'd like to stay away from it...

 

[kiriyama]

Sorry I don't have any experience with the black sand , will be watching this post as this is something I am planning to use as well, can I just ask why you don't want to use the crushd coral sand , have a bag of it here and wondering if it caused you problems ?

 

[smokinjoe2122]

Sorry I don't have any experience with the black sand , will be watching this post as this is something I am planning to use as well, can I just ask why you don't want to use the crushd coral sand , have a bag of it here and wondering if it caused you problems ?

Personally I dont like the look of Crushed Coral. When I have stirred my substrate, it has scratched the edges of my glass. I didn't really care because it was an old tank, but I'd rather not use it in this new one. I personally like the look of an all sand substrate, if I can get away with it. I have a feeling there's going to be a lot of negative comments using black sand, which kind of bursts my bubble lol..

 

[Anguilla82]

i don't see a reason why you couldn't use black sand. i know some people have used play sand before etc.
the crushed coral sand and equivalents are good because they naturally buffer your waters pH and alkalinity i think.
As long as you were able to buffer these things in another way i don't see why not.

In fact thinking about it, black sand is currently being used in a display system in a LFS in weston-super-mare, UK.
it looked really good!

 

[smokinjoe2122]

i don't see a reason why you couldn't use black sand. i know some people have used play sand before etc.
the crushed coral sand and equivalents are good because they naturally buffer your waters pH and alkalinity i think.
As long as you were able to buffer these things in another way i don't see why not.

In fact thinking about it, black sand is currently being used in a display system in a LFS in weston-super-mare, UK.
it looked really good!

So really, white sand besides it's color, does the same thing, or lack there of? Neither buffer alk or ph? What other ways can you do this without buffering subsrtate? Do water changes help? I would still try to do 10-12% every week on this system.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

I love the look of black sand.

The important thing to make sure of is that it it is not silica based sand and if its not argonite based that it is non-reactive.

I personally would look for an argonite based one to make sure its not going to leech anything harmful (like silicates which are linked to algae issues).

I'm not so worried about sand buffering the PH. My tank has been running bare bottom for a good few months now and not had any PH issues.

 

[smokinjoe2122]

I love the look of black sand.

The important thing to make sure of is that it it is not silica based sand and if its not argonite based that it is non-reactive.

I personally would look for an argonite based one to make sure its not going to leech anything harmful (like silicates which are linked to algae issues).

I'm not so worried about sand buffering the PH. My tank has been running bare bottom for a good few months now and not had any PH issues.

Well I will try to google some brands, unless someone else on here has black sand in thier tank. I honestly think any bold color that comes along with fish/coral would look great with black sand. Not to mention the many colors of coraline algae on live rock. I still would like to know if the color will trap more heat than usual. This tank probably will already have heat issues with metal hallide lighting, so I don't want to make it signifigantly worse.

 

[-Nemo-]

Most play sand is silicate based, so you might have a hard time finding some.

Try looking at CaribSea Tropic Isle Tahitian Moon Sand
They're the only brand I know of that has black sand and is specifically sold for aquarium use. I looked quickly, but I couldn't find what it's made of.

 

[kiriyama]

http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalog/gravel-sands-c-398.html?osCsid=7c39eeafbf06c8a5eeedf1cda3a42a17
check this out , might give you a bit of info with regards tp pH etc