Black or white sand? Which one is better and why?
- Thread starter Jaynie1028
- Start date
ryangrieder
Advanced Reefer
- Location
- Northern Jersey
I use to do black, and it's really nice....for a few weeks. Then it gets annoying. Every little particle that falls into the sand bed you can see, and it never says clean. The black also fads to a brown after awhile. I have had 3 tanks with black, and after a few months I switched over to white. The tank just looks too dark when it's black sand...
Also, cherry corals lost 10k in coral possible because of black sand....
Also, cherry corals lost 10k in coral possible because of black sand....
- Location
- Staten Island
black is terrible don't do it to yourself..it will be a nightmare to clean every damn day. Everytime a fish or critter takes a poop it will show up on the sand. I do all my set ups bare bottom but if you do choose sand I like the figi pink.
- Location
- Huntington
Cherry Corals already stated the reason for their loss was they forgot about the heater.
What brand of black sand were you guys using that you didn't like it?
What brand of black sand were you guys using that you didn't like it?
ryangrieder
Advanced Reefer
- Location
- Northern Jersey
that was there frag tank. i thought the other tank was the sand or a hammer coral dying?
- Location
- New Jersey
go with white sand if u go with with black it just gonna make the tank look dark...but with white sand it will make the tank have color n look brighter.
- Location
- Staten Island
Maybe if you have a lot of scavengers like hermits but I have used black substrate even black glass gravel in a freshwater tank and it was the biggest mistake I ever made in fish keeping..especially with huge plecos in the fresh water..if you think tangs crap a lot..imagine 12" plecos..you can't even imagine the humongous poop strings that were almost as big as them lol. The point of the tank looking dark was good also the light can't reflect off black sand. It's kind of the same as how our local water looks dark and you can't see the bottom because of all the garbage and other crap on the sand bed doesn't let the sun light reflect.
- Location
- Manhattan NY 10023
its personal preference mostly look at some tanks and see what you think look cooler and go for it! its not a permanent thing that cant be fixed later if you don't like!
- Location
- Huntington
What brand of "black sand" has everyone been using? I personally like the Ocean Direct black sand. It isn't jet black, more of a dark slate grey depending on your lighting and it just makes the corals POP. Never had a problem with brown algae or detritus on it either.
Any advice on how to keep black sand clean? I'm using Tahitian Moon, and the detritus is quite noticeable. Or is it too late for me? I'm terrible at maintaining it...Thanks.
- Location
- Huntington
Get real black sand. Tahitian Moon is regular freshwater substrate and doesn't buffer anything, for one. Second, it's very fine so detritus is just going to sit on top. The Ocean Direct Black Aragonite isn't as black but looks more natural and is still beneficial to the tank. Other than that it's just keeping up with a good maintenance routine.
Here's what the aragonite looks like, you tell me if it looks dirty or brown:
90 gal cube with a 400w halide and 100w of T5 over it and the sand never turned brown.
Here's what the aragonite looks like, you tell me if it looks dirty or brown:
90 gal cube with a 400w halide and 100w of T5 over it and the sand never turned brown.
Honestly, if I'm going to vacuum the Tahitian Moon out, I'll put white/pink sand back in. Just haven't figured out how to do it without creating a mess...or can I just overlay Black Aragonite over the TM?
Thanks for the advice though...
Oh and no, it doesn't look dirty or brown to me. That's a good look...
Thanks for the advice though...
Oh and no, it doesn't look dirty or brown to me. That's a good look...
Last edited:
- Location
- Huntington
if you have a micron bag you can clip it to your sump and just siphon the sand into that. You might cloud the tank a little but that way will cause less issues than just trying to scoop it out, plus you can just do a regular water change after since you didn't lose any water with the removal. Then, when you add the new sand use a funnel and a length of pvc pipe to get it down to the bottom without it creating a huge mess. If you like the black look I have always gotten a lot of "oohs and aahs" from the black aragonite.
LFSMG! Thanks for the advice... this is the type of stuff that is learned from experience, thank you for sharing.
Sorry for the hijack of the thread. But as you can see from my posts, Tahitian Moon looked great when first used, but over time (~6 months) it started getting pretty bad unless you're disciplined enough to constantly clean/nitpick every piece of dirt/detritus out. I'll look into black aragonite... thanks again!
I use Tahitian Moon and don't have much of a problem keeping it clean. I just gravel vac it with my water changes. You would be suprised how much crap makes its way down to the base of the sand.
Although I must say that the black araggonite look real nice. Plus you will get the benefits it provides.
I have seen this tank in person and it looks amazing. Or Did.
Although I must say that the black araggonite look real nice. Plus you will get the benefits it provides.
I have seen this tank in person and it looks amazing. Or Did.
- Location
- Huntington
I was wrong about the brand, it's the Nature's Ocean Black Aragonite in the pic, not Ocean Direct.
Thanks Chem, that tank was one of my favorite displays before the eggcrate found it's way in there.
Thanks Chem, that tank was one of my favorite displays before the eggcrate found it's way in there.
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