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So, are there a black or dark sands that are good? I was thinking a nano with dark sand might be cool....
black beauty vs. tahitian moon.... please help!
- Thread starter anemonelover
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DanConnor":vwn3pmhq said:
That's a good question, one I want to know for sure. I found a pink coral sand, but my boyfriend is just absolutely disgusted by the thought. :lol:
I would think that natural tahitian moon sand would be good, but I guess not really. By the same maker (CaribSea), I also saw this but fact that it comes in 5 lb bags only probably makes it not a feasible option (for me, perfect for a nano):
http://www.carib-sea.com/accents.jpg
Len / Dustin,
That tank with the rapidly depleted substrate is an interesting observation indeed.
If I may continue my reasoning, most of the "literature" advises against disturbing a DSB for reasons I thought were akin to the belief that what gets produced and locked up in the substrate largely stays there and you want it to stay there to be processed indefinitely.
I know we've all seen N2 bubbling from our healthy sandbeds, but that is also a gas. I would think that if carbonates were mobile within a substrate that many other nasties such as H2S would also be mobile - especially because the gradient of a nasty byproduct like H2S would have close to zero concentration in the water column. While H2S's effects on a system are open to speculation, the advice was always to never disturb an established sandbed or beware!
Just some thoughts...I agree though, aragonite is obviously the most natural option out there. Pretty hard to argue with nature...
That tank with the rapidly depleted substrate is an interesting observation indeed.
If I may continue my reasoning, most of the "literature" advises against disturbing a DSB for reasons I thought were akin to the belief that what gets produced and locked up in the substrate largely stays there and you want it to stay there to be processed indefinitely.
I know we've all seen N2 bubbling from our healthy sandbeds, but that is also a gas. I would think that if carbonates were mobile within a substrate that many other nasties such as H2S would also be mobile - especially because the gradient of a nasty byproduct like H2S would have close to zero concentration in the water column. While H2S's effects on a system are open to speculation, the advice was always to never disturb an established sandbed or beware!
Just some thoughts...I agree though, aragonite is obviously the most natural option out there. Pretty hard to argue with nature...
Graham,
This is a very interesting topic that I admittedly haven't really given much thought in the the past.
What I hypothesize is highly soluable compounds are indeed mobile between substrate and water column, but the substrate does "lock in" heavier metals and precipitates. For this reason alone, I wouldn't disturb my sandbed (among other major reasons like destruction of habitat/zones).
I think the dangers of H2S in reef tanks are greatly exaggerated. While I certainly don't think hydrogen sulfide is beneign, I don't think enough H2S is produced in any aquarium to be of great concern; fact is, I don't think I can recall one anecdotal account of mass death by sulfides. My experiences also tell me that even in aromatically detectable quantities (good ol rotten egg smell), H2S has minimal long-term impact on the health of a reef. I've accidentally let in a Ca reactor's worth of "sulfur water" that didn't result in catastrophe. Not something I recommend obviously
but I'm not convinced there's any merit to the doomsday fears people have about H2S (the main reason DSBs weren't widely adopted for a long long time).
Just my general musings
This is a very interesting topic that I admittedly haven't really given much thought in the the past.
What I hypothesize is highly soluable compounds are indeed mobile between substrate and water column, but the substrate does "lock in" heavier metals and precipitates. For this reason alone, I wouldn't disturb my sandbed (among other major reasons like destruction of habitat/zones).
I think the dangers of H2S in reef tanks are greatly exaggerated. While I certainly don't think hydrogen sulfide is beneign, I don't think enough H2S is produced in any aquarium to be of great concern; fact is, I don't think I can recall one anecdotal account of mass death by sulfides. My experiences also tell me that even in aromatically detectable quantities (good ol rotten egg smell), H2S has minimal long-term impact on the health of a reef. I've accidentally let in a Ca reactor's worth of "sulfur water" that didn't result in catastrophe. Not something I recommend obviously
but I'm not convinced there's any merit to the doomsday fears people have about H2S (the main reason DSBs weren't widely adopted for a long long time).Just my general musings
I just recieved the latest issue of "That Fish Place" and in it they have the tahitian Moon snad which we have come to discover is not very good. The question was is there another black sand that will work? I dont know if it will work but in this book they have a black sand called Onyx sand and gravel. They say it has a slight buffering capability and it is not chemicaly coated or treated. Dont know if it is any good??
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