Black sand

[grouper therapy]

Looking for feedback and pics from those of you who have used black sand,Thanks

 

[mvm]

Mixed responses. Looks dirty for some, but really makes corals pop. Of course, you could always go with no sand:thumbs:

Edit:

 

[mattgee87]

I did it and HATED it, For one it made my tank hotter and scratched my glass due to some of the sand being magnetic. Also It made my tank look a hole lot darker being all the light was being absorbed by the black sand

 

[db366]

I had some in my tank and didn't like it at all. Scratched the crap outran the front getting caught in the mag float.

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[hud3339]

I had a 50% mix with Fiji pink it was ok but still scratched the glass, I say stay away from it

 

[cr500_af]

No glass issues, but unless you maintain your sandbed relentlessly it won't stay black. It loses a TON of visual impact when it gets flecks of white all over it from any of a hundred sources.

 

[budsreef]

I have black sand and still like it but when I do it again I'll probably go back to white. It really looks good, but does lose a little of the impact over time as the white specs increase. I'm very careful with the mag float near the sand so have not had any scratch issues yet. The deciding factor for doing white again is that some of the sand dwelling creatures don't seem to recognise black sand. I have a candy striped pistol shrimp and a long finned goby that stay in the rocks and have never even tried to burrow in the sand.

 

[grouper therapy]

Budsreef;728526 wrote: I have black sand and still like it but when I do it again I'll probably go back to white. It really looks good, but does lose a little of the impact over time as the white specs increase. I'm very careful with the mag float near the sand so have not had any scratch issues yet. The deciding factor for doing white again is that some of the sand dwelling creatures don't seem to recognise black sand. I have a candy striped pistol shrimp and a long finned goby that stay in the rocks and have never even tried to burrow in the sand.

Where do the white specs come from? The rocks and such? Which brand did you use? Thanks for the feedback.

 

[cr500_af]

I forget the brand names, but there was a thread about it around two years back. One brand of black sand is actually magnetic, so it sticks to cleaning magnets. I got mine from Tim way back then because he knew which one was to be avoided and stocked an alternative. Knowing Tim's old buying tendencies, I'd say it was Seachem if they made black.

 

[grouper therapy]

cr500_af;728528 wrote: I forget the brand names, but there was a thread about it around two years back. One brand of black sand is actually magnetic, so it sticks to cleaning magnets. I got mine from Tim way back then because he knew which one was to be avoided and stocked an alternative. Knowing Tim's old buying tendencies, I'd say it was Seachem if they made black.

Thanks Barry.
Seachem has one called Gray coast. I read that thread as MVM posted a link to it.

Edit: I've always kept my sand clean by doing "sand changes" periodically. I only use enough to form 1/2" to 1" sand bed. Maybe I could keep it black. I try to stay away from the sand with my mag float but I am a little concerned about the magnetic pieces in my oceans motions 4-way. I will hit Seachem up about theirs.

 

[ripped tide]

I love black sand. The magnetic properties can be a real pain if you aren't careful. My best tip would be to not let your mag floats touch the sand. As far as getting dirty goes.... What kind of sand doesn't get dirty? White shows waste. Black shows waste. The only way to keep your sand from looking dirty would be brown sand.

If you are a conscientious reefer, you shouldn't have any issue with it.

 

[tgriffin]

I have Caribsea Hawaiian Black. It is not magnetic. I really like it..... no issues at all

 

[budsreef]

I used Tahitian Moon. I think the specks come from several sources including the natural decay of the rocks, some calcium precipatation and detritus.

Here is a picture from when I first started the tank and within days it had the white specks.

 

[merkywater]

tgriffin;728543 wrote: I have Caribsea Hawaiian Black. It is not magnetic. I really like it..... no issues at all

Dave if you go black this is what you want. This sand is NOT magnetic. I've had it in my tank for year+ with no issues. This was referred to me by Dave (Acroholic). I have 3 sides of starfire glass and have never scratched it. I love it, corals pop. The sand does a few white specs in it, but it doesn't bother me.

 

[KrisDeitz]

I also have CHB and love it. My Biocube really pops now

 

[sea atlanta]

Caribsea black has "flecks" of white as a buffering calcium carbonate source, as the black is not buffering at all. You can see it in the bag. Also, the caribsea is much larger in size than the Seachem stuff. Its more like gravel or crushed coral than sand. The Seachem stuff is fine sand. Also FYI- I havent had any issue with "magnetism". Im not saying it is or isnt a problem, but I havent had any issue whatsoever. I have both in stock, if you want to check it out for yourself.

 

[bruce 1]

I was told "once you go Black you will never go back" so the new tank will have black , I have already bought 160 pounds of it.

 

[grouper therapy]

SEA Atlanta;728621 wrote: Caribsea black has "flecks" of white as a buffering calcium carbonate source, as the black is not buffering at all. You can see it in the bag. Also, the caribsea is much larger in size than the Seachem stuff. Its more like gravel or crushed coral than sand. The Seachem stuff is fine sand. Also FYI- I havent had any issue with "magnetism". Im not saying it is or isnt a problem, but I havent had any issue whatsoever. I have both in stock, if you want to check it out for yourself.

Thanks !Will do . I see you guys first part of the week.