Black Sand pros & cons

ron burgandy · 05/11/2006, 04:33 PM

I'm fixing to upgrade from my 72 bowfront to a 180. I'm really toying with the idea of using black sand. Anybody out there know about the pros and cons?? Also I would love to see some pics from those of you that are using black sand. Thanks in advance.

Blown 346 · 05/11/2006, 04:44 PM

There are no pros or cons to using black sand. It is only preference.

omni2226 · 05/11/2006, 04:53 PM

MMmm pro : Looks neat and reds and oarnges will really stand out.
Cons: You can buy 200 lbs of playsand for 20 dollors. The nice black sand in 20 lb bags...

But I say go for it. Next small tank I do (less than 50 gallon) Im going to use it myself.

mystikdragon7 · 05/11/2006, 04:57 PM

I have black sand in my tank and I will try and post pictures later. I like it but the only thing is it shows too much junk. It's like keeping a black car, it's hard to keep clean. Everything that hits the bottom shows, like LR rubble. I really like it because it shows off colors in some of my corals. But, the next time I set up a tank it is going to be with light sand.

SDguy · 05/11/2006, 04:57 PM

Personally haven't used it. But have read threads where people complain it's like going BB, in the sense that you can see every speck of detritus.

Also, I believe it is crushed lava rock, is it not? Therefore it is not Calcium carbonate...so you'd lose any benefit that you belive having a Calcium carbonate substrate might provide.

hth

wetWolger · 05/11/2006, 05:43 PM

one thing I came across when I was thinking about black sand is:

A) it may raise your temp due to more light absorption

and sorta on the same lines

B) reduce the amount of light your corals get due to less reflection of light

for me I decided against it for cost, the fact that it would be almost impossible to keep clean, and the lack of a good source of sand.

shilo_1 · 05/11/2006, 06:04 PM

I had black sand in my 125g when I first started up...I liked it. Was thinking about adding some to my tank now, but decided to go for the natural look instead. Heres a thread showing some pics....I'll try find it and post it here.

shilo_1 · 05/11/2006, 06:07 PM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=675292

jdenton · 05/12/2006, 07:23 AM

I have black sand in half of my tank. Was going for a volcanic transition zone look. It is calcite, not crushed volcanic rock so it is calcium carbonate, but calcite does not dissolve (appreciably) at reef tank pH so you don't get that benefit like you would with aragonite.

shilo_1 · 05/12/2006, 07:27 AM

Jdenton, please post some pics - I'd like to see what that looks like.

njp14333 · 05/12/2006, 07:28 AM

i used half southdown half black and it ended up looking pretty cool.

Ludwigia73 · 05/13/2006, 06:06 AM

I have black sand in my 18 tall (viaaqua) with a ton of pc lighting (192 watts.) I did this for 2 reasons... The heat issue (which didn't do a thing) and the sand absorbs light, so I'm glad I did. My corals have grown wonderfully, with very little additives, just 10% water changes every 2 weeks. It DOES show detritus well, but I have a ton of nassarius snails to keep it stirred in. I have an open brain that started last May as a tiny tiny brain about 1 1/2" long. Bought it because it was nano sized. Now it's 6" long!!! I'll post an old pic to follow. By the way, this tank got me exhibitor's choice award in the FMAS show, and also won me a trip to Grand Cayman!!! It was worth the effort.

Ludwigia73 · 05/13/2006, 06:17 AM

And finally some eye candy from that tank (it's called Bali Giant Xenia, and it's a month old in the first pic, and 4 months old in the 2nd pic)

shilo_1 · 05/13/2006, 07:28 AM

njp14333 - looks great. I originally was hoping for the same effect, but used cc instead of finer sand, so all the black sand settled under the cc. lol

Ludwigia73, nice looking nano. What are the polyp-things next to the brain ?

Ludwigia73 · 05/13/2006, 01:35 PM

Called cinnamon polyps... right now they're selling for around 10-15 per polyp, but if you can find them out west, I hear they're going for around 35-40 per polyp. Huge, though... basically a giant zoanthid (palythoa gigantus, I think)

criccio · 05/13/2006, 02:05 PM

I always read about how black sand shows everything so it's bad, but white shows just as much crap, so it's a wash. Considering my tank is black and the back is painted black, having black sand definately allows the colors to really pop.

Ludwigia73 · 05/13/2006, 02:46 PM

agreed... basically, I just siphon off the worst of the detritus, plus of course a little sand, and once a year I spend $20 on a small bag of new sand. Works pretty well... and the snails show up better against the black sand. Nassarius are cool.

binaryterror · 05/13/2006, 02:55 PM

I dont really like the black sand look. I prefer the "natural" look.

05/11/2006, 04:33 PM	#1
ron burgandy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 102	Black Sand pros & cons I'm fixing to upgrade from my 72 bowfront to a 180. I'm really toying with the idea of using black sand. Anybody out there know about the pros and cons?? Also I would love to see some pics from those of you that are using black sand. Thanks in advance. __________________ 60% of the time, it works every time. Current Tank Info: 180 gal starphire mixed reef, 75gal sump, 3 250 mh w/10k Reeflux bulbs, Coralvue e-ballasts,and lumenarc reflectors, MR2 skimmer, MRC CR-5 calcium reactor, Two Little Fishies phosban reactor closed loop with a Dart, Barracuda for system.

05/11/2006, 04:53 PM	#3
omni2226 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Middle Florida Posts: 774	MMmm pro : Looks neat and reds and oarnges will really stand out. Cons: You can buy 200 lbs of playsand for 20 dollors. The nice black sand in 20 lb bags... But I say go for it. Next small tank I do (less than 50 gallon) Im going to use it myself. __________________ I know enough to know I know nothing. Current Tank Info: 55 Marine. 29 Freshwater planted.

05/11/2006, 04:57 PM	#4
mystikdragon7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mill Creek, WA Posts: 1,051	I have black sand in my tank and I will try and post pictures later. I like it but the only thing is it shows too much junk. It's like keeping a black car, it's hard to keep clean. Everything that hits the bottom shows, like LR rubble. I really like it because it shows off colors in some of my corals. But, the next time I set up a tank it is going to be with light sand. __________________ Patience is a vitrue Current Tank Info: 60gal reef, 2 175 watt MH, 2 95 watt VHO Actinics, 20 gal sump; 30gal FOWLR, pair of B&W baby perculas

05/11/2006, 04:57 PM	#5
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 19,929	Personally haven't used it. But have read threads where people complain it's like going BB, in the sense that you can see every speck of detritus. Also, I believe it is crushed lava rock, is it not? Therefore it is not Calcium carbonate...so you'd lose any benefit that you belive having a Calcium carbonate substrate might provide. hth __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 150g crashed reef. 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 20g clarkii clown cube. 15g QT.

05/11/2006, 05:43 PM	#6
wetWolger Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: A Town Posts: 1,679	one thing I came across when I was thinking about black sand is: A) it may raise your temp due to more light absorption and sorta on the same lines B) reduce the amount of light your corals get due to less reflection of light for me I decided against it for cost, the fact that it would be almost impossible to keep clean, and the lack of a good source of sand. __________________ cheers, jent d-_-b Current Tank Info: Oceanic 180 gal

05/11/2006, 04:44 PM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,326	There are no pros or cons to using black sand. It is only preference.

05/11/2006, 06:04 PM	#7
shilo_1 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dixon, CA (95620) Posts: 2,847	I had black sand in my 125g when I first started up...I liked it. Was thinking about adding some to my tank now, but decided to go for the natural look instead. Heres a thread showing some pics....I'll try find it and post it here. __________________ Shilo Current Tank Info: 93g Cube

05/11/2006, 06:07 PM	#8
shilo_1 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dixon, CA (95620) Posts: 2,847	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=675292 __________________ Shilo Current Tank Info: 93g Cube

05/12/2006, 07:23 AM	#9
jdenton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Crown Point, IN Posts: 41	I have black sand in half of my tank. Was going for a volcanic transition zone look. It is calcite, not crushed volcanic rock so it is calcium carbonate, but calcite does not dissolve (appreciably) at reef tank pH so you don't get that benefit like you would with aragonite.

05/12/2006, 07:27 AM	#10
shilo_1 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dixon, CA (95620) Posts: 2,847	Jdenton, please post some pics - I'd like to see what that looks like. __________________ Shilo Current Tank Info: 93g Cube

05/12/2006, 07:28 AM	#11
njp14333 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cape Cod, MA Posts: 295	i used half southdown half black and it ended up looking pretty cool. __________________ “Reality is just a crutch for people who can't cope with drugs.” - Robin Williams Current Tank Info: 40g In-Wall FOWLR, (soon to be a mixed reef), and a 28g Cube (mixed reef).

05/13/2006, 06:06 AM	#12
Ludwigia73 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 4,213	I have black sand in my 18 tall (viaaqua) with a ton of pc lighting (192 watts.) I did this for 2 reasons... The heat issue (which didn't do a thing) and the sand absorbs light, so I'm glad I did. My corals have grown wonderfully, with very little additives, just 10% water changes every 2 weeks. It DOES show detritus well, but I have a ton of nassarius snails to keep it stirred in. I have an open brain that started last May as a tiny tiny brain about 1 1/2" long. Bought it because it was nano sized. Now it's 6" long!!! I'll post an old pic to follow. By the way, this tank got me exhibitor's choice award in the FMAS show, and also won me a trip to Grand Cayman!!! It was worth the effort. __________________ 56 gallon column with T-5, deep sand bed, low energy reefing! Current Tank Info: 56 gallon column, T-5 lighting

05/13/2006, 06:17 AM	#13
Ludwigia73 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 4,213	And finally some eye candy from that tank (it's called Bali Giant Xenia, and it's a month old in the first pic, and 4 months old in the 2nd pic) __________________ 56 gallon column with T-5, deep sand bed, low energy reefing! Current Tank Info: 56 gallon column, T-5 lighting

05/13/2006, 07:28 AM	#14
shilo_1 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dixon, CA (95620) Posts: 2,847	njp14333 - looks great. I originally was hoping for the same effect, but used cc instead of finer sand, so all the black sand settled under the cc. lol Ludwigia73, nice looking nano. What are the polyp-things next to the brain ? __________________ Shilo Current Tank Info: 93g Cube

05/13/2006, 01:35 PM	#15
Ludwigia73 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 4,213	Called cinnamon polyps... right now they're selling for around 10-15 per polyp, but if you can find them out west, I hear they're going for around 35-40 per polyp. Huge, though... basically a giant zoanthid (palythoa gigantus, I think) __________________ 56 gallon column with T-5, deep sand bed, low energy reefing! Current Tank Info: 56 gallon column, T-5 lighting

05/13/2006, 02:05 PM	#16
criccio Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Aurora, Illinois Posts: 2,996	I always read about how black sand shows everything so it's bad, but white shows just as much crap, so it's a wash. Considering my tank is black and the back is painted black, having black sand definately allows the colors to really pop. __________________ Chris

05/13/2006, 02:46 PM	#17
Ludwigia73 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 4,213	agreed... basically, I just siphon off the worst of the detritus, plus of course a little sand, and once a year I spend $20 on a small bag of new sand. Works pretty well... and the snails show up better against the black sand. Nassarius are cool. __________________ 56 gallon column with T-5, deep sand bed, low energy reefing! Current Tank Info: 56 gallon column, T-5 lighting

05/13/2006, 02:55 PM	#18
binaryterror Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 762	I dont really like the black sand look. I prefer the "natural" look. __________________ RIP Steve Irwin