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Unread 01/19/2009, 08:56 PM   #1
pogiboy67
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anyone use black sand in their reefs?

was looking to see if anyone use black sand in their reefs?


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Unread 01/19/2009, 09:36 PM   #2
FirstContact
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I could be wrong, but I don't think the black sand has the same dissolving proporties over time that aragonite does. If I remember correctly, I think it helps buffer ph...I'm sure others might point out a lot of other benefits too.


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Unread 01/19/2009, 10:05 PM   #3
noboddi
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I am not sure about the dissolving properties, but it doesn't reflect light as well. That's the main reason I see


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Unread 01/19/2009, 10:11 PM   #4
bigclops
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your ph would have to drop pretty low for argonite to help out.. at that point your in trouble anyway.. with that out of the way.. i think black sand looks wicked!


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Unread 01/19/2009, 10:15 PM   #5
noboddi
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Quote:
Originally posted by bigclops
your ph would have to drop pretty low for argonite to help out.. at that point your in trouble anyway.. with that out of the way.. i think black sand looks wicked!
pH is lower at the bottom of a DSB. I dissolve an inch or two of sand in 18 mos or so. The pH in the tank is pretty constant at 8.3.


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Unread 01/19/2009, 10:42 PM   #6
iamwrasseman
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i have 30% mixed in one of my tanks just for the different look of it . don't know of any goods or bads to it but it doesn't seem to get any more or less algea due to the coloring . i really don't have an algea problem in that system so its hard to tell if theres any difference. it does look cool with both white and black sand ,havent had any problems ,it's been running for four years now .


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Unread 01/20/2009, 06:09 AM   #7
pogiboy67
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so a 100% black sandbed for a reef tank ok or no ?


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Unread 01/20/2009, 06:16 AM   #8
redvicki
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From what I learned when I was setting up my tank you can use the black sand if it is what you want.


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Unread 01/20/2009, 07:45 AM   #9
Klaus777
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There's a guy here trying 100% black sand out

http://www.kwas.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=11047&page=2


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Unread 01/20/2009, 07:53 AM   #10
Sugar Magnolia
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I like the look of a mixed black sand/aragonite sand bed.


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Unread 01/20/2009, 10:32 AM   #11
oppih
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Some black sand has crushed glass in it.... So it wouldn't be safe
for dwellers/sifters


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Unread 01/20/2009, 10:40 AM   #12
cornhusker85
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I got a buddy who has two tanks with 100% black sand it looks cool. idont know of any porblems with doing it. I would do it.


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Unread 01/20/2009, 10:47 AM   #13
oppih
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Here's what i was going to use..

http://www.caribsea.com/pages/produc..._aquarium.html


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Unread 01/20/2009, 11:32 AM   #14
phish guy
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i love the look of all black sand in nanoreefs. it does make coral colors pop more, never seen all black in a larger tank. would love to see pics if you do it.


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Unread 01/20/2009, 12:22 PM   #15
seapug
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There are new types of black sand that perfectly safe for a reef. No, it won't dissolve in dsb layers like Aragonite, but it won't hurt anything. I agree that black sand can look really cool, but it will show "dirt" just like white sand does and can look even worse when not maintained well-- like dirty pavement.


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Unread 01/20/2009, 01:39 PM   #16
L98-Z
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I'd like to see a large tank with black sand as well.


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Unread 01/20/2009, 02:38 PM   #17
Hannawa
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A friend of mine has all black in his 12g. It looks pretty cool but it doesnt stay all black for too long.


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Unread 01/20/2009, 03:52 PM   #18
gws76
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Here is a pic of a freinds tank that has all black sand. She had it up for somewhere around two years without problems. I thought it looked awsome.




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