black or white sand

[evsalty]

On the fence on the sand color choice for this tank. If white it will be special grade if black it needs to be sifter safe for fish such as gobies and such.

Here is the tank it is going into.

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu343/evsalty/40br/CIMG2437.jpg

[evsalty]

All these view yet barely any votes? lol

[Jeff]

I have seen a couple of tanks with black sand and it shows everything. You would think that white sand would show more junk but black is worse. I am pretty sure that black sand is not aragonite sand rather it is pulverized lava.

[Daniel Reef]

You may want to do a search. I remember a thread recently where tank owners with black sand complained of various algae blooms. I would discourage purchasing black sand.

[M3Shark]

I voted white sand. Simply because in my opinion it looks better. I think it is that i like the contrast between the white sand and black background.

[SDguy]

I friend of mine has "black" sand... it's not reallly black...more like a mixture of various black and grey tones. It's really nice! I recently added white to my reef. I'm about to pull it out... not loving it.

[scubasteve06]

White sand all they way. Everyone who said that black sand shows everything is 100% true.

[aleonn]

I like the traditional white sand (looks like a beach), but it's just my preference.

[James404]

white sand all the way

[Lynnmw1208]

I'd say white. If you haven't seen this substrate, I'm a pretty big fan. It's tropic eden reeflakes. I think they'll be the right size for your gobies. oh and if they're too big for your taste, they make miniflakes as well. http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/TE-TE03616R30.html

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/TE-TE03613M30.html

reeflakes is what I want to use in my tank once I get water in it :worried2:

[evsalty]

Looks like white has it. Thanks all. I certainly don't want to have to fight more things then I have too.

Lynn - that stuff looks just like the special grade and is comprised of the same materials.

[MilkWeed18]

i prefer white sand. Black sand shows to much detritus and if you have dry rock make sure they are EXTREMELY clean, if not when you stack them or rub them white particles will be on your sand. Looks messy.

[clownfreak]

I have black and white sand in my 25g. I'm not fond of it, it gets the job done but if I did it over I'd choose white sand. White sand would reflect more light too I'd think.

[Snafu-2112]

Black shows all the detritus. The stuff they sell in bags at Petsmart is also VERY abrasive compared to conventional live sand. It is of volcanic origin, I think, and, it will scratch your glass very easily if it gets stuck in a magfloat (been there, done that with a freshwater tank).

[m_wonnacott]

I had black sand with a black back on my cichlid tank that had reef rock in it I found the tank both dark and as some have mentioned it showed everything

[SDguy]

Hmm, I guess you guys are talking about really dark black stuff, because the stuff I'm thinking of doesn't show detritus...

Here are a couple pics from her tank:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p5/SDreefguy/BAYMAC%202010/DSC020531.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p5/SDreefguy/BAYMAC%202010/DSC018351.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p5/SDreefguy/BAYMAC%202010/DSC019201.jpg

[aleonn]

SDguy, I like the black sand in that tank! Very nice contrast against that livestock!

[n8ball2013]

thats not your run of the mill tank either every tank ive seen with black sand just looks dingy to me. maybe its my mind set on how i think it should look though. I was gung ho for black sand until I actually saw it.

[Palting]

I know you've made your choice already, but I have black and love it. I have Arag-Alive Hawaiian black, have had it for 8 months, and don't have the "dirt" issues that's being mentioned. I think black is getting an unfair rep as being "dirty. Here are a few pics at 8 months.

http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab71/Kalawing/IMG_1366.jpg
http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab71/Kalawing/IMG_1375.jpg
http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab71/Kalawing/IMG_1293.jpg
http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab71/Kalawing/IMG_1331.jpg
http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab71/Kalawing/IMG_1332.jpg

[sirreal63]

http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab71/Kalawing/IMG_1375.jpg



As long as you like it, that is all that matters, and it is different but to me it looks like asphalt. Maybe my brain isn't accustomed to seeing a black substrate. Very nice tank too.

[SDguy]

SDguy, I like the black sand in that tank! Very nice contrast against that livestock!

Yeah, I was pretty impressed with it when I saw it in person!

[evsalty]

The gf really wants black but I want actual aragonite sand in the for its Ca and Carbinate make up. The black is volcanic rock no matter where it is from. The arag-alive title that Caribsea is selling theirs under is misleading since yes it is alive but no it is not made up of calcium/carbinate based material.

I told her that I can compromise and go with the Indo-pacific black/white mix sand and see how we like it.

As far as black showing dirt and algae more that is probably true as black makes ALL things pop good and bad lol. Just look at cars. White cars look less dirty then black cars even if they are both dirty to the same level.