Suggestions For Black Sand?

[Alm0stAwesome]

Hi All,

I'm looking to change my gravel to black sand. I've seen the Caribsea Tahitian Moon used by some on this forum and it had a nice deep black colour. Does anyone reccommend another brand? I'm not too worried about the price and I have corys so would need a sand that is suitable for them.

Thanks!

 

[Flubberlump]

Unipac

 

[fishprotector]

Unipac Limpopo is good, but it is more of a very dark gray colour.

 

[Tonyb111111]

If you are looking for proper black, rather than nearly black, then i think Caribsea Tahitian Moon is difficult to beat, though bloody expensive

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

What are your opinions on the grain of the sand? Fine vs coarse? And where would you place the sands above on the scale of fine -> coarse?

 

[FishFanatic04]

I like the Tahitian moon sand for how true black it is, and the grain is really great. Compared to play sand which is a little finer, I am not pushing stem plants down over and over, they stay down pretty well. In the play sand, it takes days of shoving plants back in before they root.

Grain size also matters to whatever fish you plan to get for the bottom. I love kuhli loaches so I wanted sand everywhere for them with smaller grain sizes. Cories like it too.

 

[KISSfn]

And the Tahitian Moon really shimmers as it has bits that sparkle throughout.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Is that what you've got in your signature KISSfn? Thanks

 

[KISSfn]

Yes.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Well after touring a couple of my LFS this evening - no black sand

So I'm going to have to order online. I read a thread recently where someone advised on how to measure the amount of substrate to get by the floor area of your tank but now I can't find it! Can anyone advise me on this please? My tank bottom is 39 x 33 cm.

 

[KISSfn]

Sand and Gravel calculator: http/www.aqua-calc...ctangular-solid
Readings were 20 pounds too high for my tank.

 

[Juggler75]

using this calculator and assuming your chosen sand is going to be 2 inches deep then it says 19lbs or just under 9kgs

google "substrate calculator" for other calculators

 

[Ruskull]

I have Stoney River Brand Black sand in my 36 gallon shown in my signature. Unfortunately I mixed it with some black gravel and now all you see on top is the gravel. I've been removing a bit with each water change......................

It looks pretty black to me but I never compared it side to side with the Tahitian Moon sand. Stoney River sand cost me about $5.99 per 5 pound bag.