Black sand....

[ga_daisy]

I've decided to take a 15 gal hex that was sitting around and turn it into a mini set up (though I've soooo wanted a Biocube or Nano....I just don't have the $$ these days). I think I want to do black sand.

Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on black sand?

 

[tnyga]

It's the only thing Ive used...LOVE IT! lol It's on my 30 build here also...I think it adds a very cool look...I have the very fine stuff

 

[gixxer600]

I have used black sand in my 30 gal before and did not like it to much(to each his/her own). I thought that it drowned out the colors of both the corals and fish. But good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[tnyga]

definately a prefernece thing for sure

 

[ga_daisy]

I figured the black would make the colors really pop. I've got white sand in my 235 and though the top of the sand looks clean, the layers under always look grundgy. I was thinking with black, it would help mask that also.

 

[enderg60]

I had black in my 15g nano, it was really nice. Totally made the colors pop more.

BUT, it never stayed nice and black. Always had snail poop, bits of rock and stuff all over it within days. I would suck off the top layer(shut up dave) and put new stuff on top every time I did a water change. Not too bad, but still a PITA.

I did half and half in my new tank and I like it. Might add a bag or two more of the black to darken it a bit though.

 

[rbredding]

I've got pictures in my signature of my 30L...

It started out with black/gray sand and I like it... (but went white for the 90gal)

 

[mojo]

If you do get it, make sure it isn't ferrous. Some black sand will stick to our aquarium magnets, making glass cleaning really difficult... The only way I know to test is to bring a magnet with you when picking up your sand.

 

[gixxer600]

+1 with mojo definantly check to see if it is magnetic or not. But once again it is all preferance. the black sand was nice for a little while but it seemed to turn light grey after a while so when i upgraded i just switched to white.

 

[tnyga]

mojo;462065 wrote: If you do get it, make sure it isn't ferrous. Some black sand will stick to our aquarium magnets, making glass cleaning really difficult... The only way I know to test is to bring a magnet with you when picking up your sand.

This is true...Mine is lol

 

[ga_daisy]

mojo;462065 wrote: If you do get it, make sure it isn't ferrous. Some black sand will stick to our aquarium magnets, making glass cleaning really difficult... The only way I know to test is to bring a magnet with you when picking up your sand.

Thanks for that! Yeah....that is what I was looking for, beyond the aesthetics, what else would I need to know before I stepped in a big pile of "stuff" and wish I would have gone another way!

Thanks guys.....