What about black sand?

[pwj1286]

http://www.seatechaquariums.com/Product ... 4,0079.htm

Do you see a problem with it? Other than the fact that I have to by 140 pounds of the stuff?
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[Anonymous]

Black sand will work just the same.

 

[Manofathousandpolyps]

The only bad thing I can think of is any detritus on your sand will show up like dust on a black car does. If it wasnt for that I would love to use black.

 

[Anonymous]

Tahitian moon doesn't have the buffering capacity that aragonite does. It will show up detrious and dust unless you have strong flow over the bottom. BUT, it's also very light and I've heard tends to fly around when disturbed.

Gray Coast calcite buffers and is heavier, coarser. It's lighter when dry but when wet, it's barely a shade off black.

 

[gregb1]

It wont reflect the light back up to the underside of your corals.

 

[Anonymous]

Tahitian moon doesn't have the buffering capacity that aragonite does. It will show up detrious and dust unless you have strong flow over the bottom. BUT, it's also very light and I've heard tends to fly around when disturbed.

Gray Coast calcite buffers and is heavier, coarser. It's lighter when dry but when wet, it's barely a shade off black.

Buffering is not really an issue unless the pH is dropping below 8.0 or lower. Plus, many of the aragonite sands are fine as well.

 

[Anonymous]

It wont reflect the light back up to the underside of your corals.

True. However, I would not base my asthetics on that.

 

[pwj1286]

Very interesting. I thank you all who replied. As you know, its not a popular color, so I was looking for something original and differnt.

I will have to think about this for a while. It is between a WHITE sugar fine sand from the bahamas. Or the black. The white sand is soo soft and feels great.
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[Anonymous]

Aragonite sand is much softer than silica sand.

 

[Lars]

Why not try both? It might look cool with the black and white contrast.

 

[pwj1286]

Aragonite sand is much softer than silica sand.

I think the sugar sand is oolite (sp?) not a silica.


The mixed idea sounds pretty cool, I think CarbiSea makes some.
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[Anonymous]

sugar size refers to grain size not type of sand.

 

[pwj1286]

Yeah, I know, I thought you were refering to the post I made on 'Sun Jun 25, 2006 10:05 pm' as if I was talking about using silica sand.
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[Charlesr1958]

I agree with Dan, the buffering capacity of sand is yet another myth or misconception that abounds to this day. I have used black sand before and have noticed no difference other than it will not become algae covered since it does not reflect light very well, it will also darken the tank a bit since as I mentioned, it is not very reflective. Other than that, it works just fine for any depth of sandbed.

Chuck