Anyone use black sand?

MDreefer301 · 09/08/2014, 05:23 PM

Starting up my reef considering black sand.. What are u guys thoughts on the black sand?

Mark Bianco · 09/08/2014, 05:39 PM

Love the look... I had it in a RSM 130D Hated Toughly Hated trying to keep it clean.

Mark

PRSPLYR · 09/08/2014, 06:09 PM

Every speck of detritus will show up really well

MDreefer301 · 09/08/2014, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Bianco

Love the look... I had it in a RSM 130D Hated Toughly Hated trying to keep it clean.

Mark

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRSPLYR

Every speck of detritus will show up really well

So u guys think black sand is a hassle?

devildog12210 · 09/08/2014, 06:27 PM

I did my last tank with it. I loved it for the first couple months but quickly grew to hate it. It just looked dirty all the time.

reefgoddess808 · 09/08/2014, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRSPLYR

Every speck of detritus will show up really well

+1 on this. I have it in my fw tank. Looks great but does require a bit more upkeep

swhobbie1 · 09/08/2014, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRSPLYR

Every speck of detritus will show up really well

+1 I have several buckets of it sitting in my garage for this reason.

ThreeMoneyJ · 09/08/2014, 07:29 PM

I use black sand. I actually think it stays cleaner looking than white sand does.

Fallling · 09/08/2014, 11:58 PM

I haven't personally used black sand, but was definitely considering it, and may use it at some point in a future build. My sand doesn't exactly stay white either, so both are going to require some upkeep regardless of what color it is. Maybe black is a bit more upkeep than white, but I can't say since I've only used white. On another note, when I was looking into it, there seems to be one brand that is particularly more magnetic than others? I use ? because the topic seemed to come up fairly regularly, but I could never determine how much truth was in it.

I think what ultimately deterred me is my tank size... I think the black sand would look awesome in smaller tanks under 40 gallon or so, but I just wasn't sure on the larger scale. I'm still interested in it and always appreciate something that goes off the status quo taking a little more artistic license. At some point if I do 40 gal or under build, it'll be a serious consideration. Hmmm... maybe an anemone specific tank with black sand is in my future

Titans_Reef · 09/09/2014, 12:14 AM

I made my 40g all black but the rocks, I run blue 455nm LED lights for 12hrs a day and I have fish that have their color pop under the lights like my arabian pseudo. I love it but since its a new set up, the sand is covered with diatoms so its a pain in the... to keep it clean right now but I set up a fuge in it so its not that bad anymore.

CoralsAddiction · 09/09/2014, 12:54 AM

I had 50% black and %50 white. I hated black sand. Go with Fiji Pink instead.

usingthejohn · 09/09/2014, 12:57 AM

I use black sand in my tank. I find that it makes the colors stand out more. However, it is true that detritus will definitely show up easier.

If you aren't keeping wrasses, try painting the bottom black or white instead. You can increase flow enough to keep things from settling. i forget the build thread, but i saw someone on RC who painted the bottom white and the tank looked exceptionally clean.

sneeyatch · 09/09/2014, 06:13 AM

I hate black sand and black backgrounds. Sure it makes your colors pop but black absorbs light, any other color reflects light to a degree.

09/08/2014, 05:23 PM	#1
MDreefer301 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 58	Anyone use black sand? Starting up my reef considering black sand.. What are u guys thoughts on the black sand?

09/08/2014, 06:27 PM	#5
devildog12210 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Charlotte Harbor, FL Posts: 97	I did my last tank with it. I loved it for the first couple months but quickly grew to hate it. It just looked dirty all the time. __________________ new 180 waiting on the bacteria to do their thing.

09/08/2014, 07:29 PM	#8
ThreeMoneyJ Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 596	I use black sand. I actually think it stays cleaner looking than white sand does. __________________ -John (threemoneyj is an anagram) -120 mixed reef. 50 cadlights cube. 40B cardinal/dragonet breeding tank/frag tank.

09/08/2014, 11:58 PM	#9
Fallling Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 455	I haven't personally used black sand, but was definitely considering it, and may use it at some point in a future build. My sand doesn't exactly stay white either, so both are going to require some upkeep regardless of what color it is. Maybe black is a bit more upkeep than white, but I can't say since I've only used white. On another note, when I was looking into it, there seems to be one brand that is particularly more magnetic than others? I use ? because the topic seemed to come up fairly regularly, but I could never determine how much truth was in it. I think what ultimately deterred me is my tank size... I think the black sand would look awesome in smaller tanks under 40 gallon or so, but I just wasn't sure on the larger scale. I'm still interested in it and always appreciate something that goes off the status quo taking a little more artistic license. At some point if I do 40 gal or under build, it'll be a serious consideration. Hmmm... maybe an anemone specific tank with black sand is in my future __________________ A really expensive cat TV. Current Tank Info: 40"L x 24"W x 30"H 125 gallon mixed reef \| 40 gallon sump \| Pacific Sun Pandora S T5 / LED \| RLSS R8-I protein skimmer

09/09/2014, 06:13 AM	#13
sneeyatch Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 1,312	I hate black sand and black backgrounds. Sure it makes your colors pop but black absorbs light, any other color reflects light to a degree. __________________ - Todd It's often the saddest of us working our hardest to make everyone laugh Current Tank Info: Tankless

09/08/2014, 05:39 PM	#2
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	Love the look... I had it in a RSM 130D Hated Toughly Hated trying to keep it clean. Mark

09/08/2014, 06:09 PM	#3
PRSPLYR Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 91	Every speck of detritus will show up really well

09/09/2014, 12:14 AM	#10
Titans_Reef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 188	I made my 40g all black but the rocks, I run blue 455nm LED lights for 12hrs a day and I have fish that have their color pop under the lights like my arabian pseudo. I love it but since its a new set up, the sand is covered with diatoms so its a pain in the... to keep it clean right now but I set up a fuge in it so its not that bad anymore.

09/09/2014, 12:54 AM	#11
CoralsAddiction Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: L.A./Tahoe Posts: 6,003	I had 50% black and %50 white. I hated black sand. Go with Fiji Pink instead.

09/09/2014, 12:57 AM	#12
usingthejohn Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Buena Park, CA Posts: 489	I use black sand in my tank. I find that it makes the colors stand out more. However, it is true that detritus will definitely show up easier. If you aren't keeping wrasses, try painting the bottom black or white instead. You can increase flow enough to keep things from settling. i forget the build thread, but i saw someone on RC who painted the bottom white and the tank looked exceptionally clean.