Black substrate anyone?

APBorisov · 10/03/2006, 09:52 PM

I'm getting ready to "restart" my 75 gal., and I was wanting to know if anyone out there uses black substrate (perhaps to imitate some coasts of Hawaii)?

My originial thought was that it would add some great contrast and be something different as opposed to just white.

My only concern is that it might look stupid; As in, "My First Fishtank" by fisher price with WILD substrate colors!

Let me know your thoughts, and I would love to see some pictures from anyone who uses black. TIA.

CrystalAZ · 10/04/2006, 01:27 AM

There have been threads on this. The consensus is usually that it looks REALLY cool until it gets dirty then it shows gunk a lot easier than plain ol' white sand.

Crystal

psimitry · 10/04/2006, 03:36 AM

Agreed. If you keep it to a 1" or so SSB and you are absolutely anal about keeping it clean it looks amazing.

One thing that a lot of people don't often think about though as a compromise (and I think it looks almost as good and definitely out of the ordinary) is a mixture of black and white - like 2/3 white and 1/3 black.

addicted_2_reef · 10/04/2006, 04:53 AM

I had it in a 10 gallon an after a week it looked terrible. I'm about to move everything into my 65 and I can't wait just so I don't have to look at it anymore. I does look great if you keep it really, really, really, clean.

-Brian

View Poll Results: Black substrate?
Most definitely!	2	18.18%
No way jose, go with good ol' white!	9	81.82%
Voters: 11. You may not vote on this poll

10/03/2006, 09:52 PM	#1
APBorisov Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Saint Louis Posts: 54	Black substrate anyone? I'm getting ready to "restart" my 75 gal., and I was wanting to know if anyone out there uses black substrate (perhaps to imitate some coasts of Hawaii)? My originial thought was that it would add some great contrast and be something different as opposed to just white. My only concern is that it might look stupid; As in, "My First Fishtank" by fisher price with WILD substrate colors! Let me know your thoughts, and I would love to see some pictures from anyone who uses black. TIA. __________________ -Alex Current Tank Info: 75 gal. Oceanic with 10 gal. refugium

10/04/2006, 01:27 AM	#2
CrystalAZ Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NW Phoenix, AZ Posts: 4,130	There have been threads on this. The consensus is usually that it looks REALLY cool until it gets dirty then it shows gunk a lot easier than plain ol' white sand. Crystal __________________ SAVE THE BRISTLEWORMS! The BPA reminds you that "Bristleworms are our pals." Current Tank Info: Check out my gallery for lots of tank pics

10/04/2006, 04:53 AM	#4
addicted_2_reef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Levittown PA Posts: 434	I had it in a 10 gallon an after a week it looked terrible. I'm about to move everything into my 65 and I can't wait just so I don't have to look at it anymore. I does look great if you keep it really, really, really, clean. -Brian __________________ -Brian 25 gallon cube

10/04/2006, 03:36 AM	#3
psimitry Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,560	Agreed. If you keep it to a 1" or so SSB and you are absolutely anal about keeping it clean it looks amazing. One thing that a lot of people don't often think about though as a compromise (and I think it looks almost as good and definitely out of the ordinary) is a mixture of black and white - like 2/3 white and 1/3 black.