Black sand in SPS tanm

[MONTANTK]

Later today I plan on buying sand for my 7.4g new build. My plan is to keep acros, millies, monti’s, etc.

I can’t decide on if I want white sand or black sand. Most tanks I see are bare bottom or white sand. Anyone have an SPS dominant tank with black sand?

 

[Casket_Case]

I don’t have one but black sand would absorb light so not as much light would be refracted. So your aquarium would be darker

 

[MONTANTK]

I don’t have one but black sand would absorb light so not as much light would be refracted. So your aquarium would be darker

I had black sand in one of my previous tanks and really liked it because it made the color pop. That tank was mainly Zoas and LPS

 

[Casket_Case]

I had black sand in one of my previous tanks and really liked it because it made the color pop. That tank was mainly Zoas and LPS

Oh, I meant like reflection wise. With black sand light wouldn’t be reflected off the sand bed and bouncing around the tank XD it’d probably be easier on photography and your eyes and holes and caves in the rock might be darker

 

[MONTANTK]

Oh, I meant like reflection wise. With black sand light wouldn’t be reflected off the sand bed and bouncing around the tank XD it’d probably be easier on photography and your eyes and holes and caves in the rock might be darker

Oh yes I totally agree. Just not sure how the colors of acros would look since the color tends not to be as intense as say an acan or chalice

 

[Casket_Case]

Oh yes I totally agree. Just not sure how the colors of acros would look since the color tends not to be as intense as say an acan or chalice

Ahh, I see

 

[marlinmon]

Knew a guy that started growing acros on black tiles and stopped almost as soon as he started because zero light was being reflected back to the underside of the corals and it was causing growth issues.

 

[MONTANTK]

Knew a guy that started growing acros on black tiles and stopped almost as soon as he started because zero light was being reflected back to the underside of the corals and it was causing growth issues.

Hmm that’s a good point. I hadn’t thought of that

 

[jda]

Some black sand has metals and volcanic residue in it - this will not allow corals to thrive. Be careful. Other stuff is fine. If any of it sticks to a magnet, then get rid of it. Black sand is also not usually good for sand living and sifting creatures - it is like tiny little razor blades to them with all of the jaggedness and roughness.

 

[burningmime]

Knew a guy that started growing acros on black tiles and stopped almost as soon as he started because zero light was being reflected back to the underside of the corals and it was causing growth issues.

Wouldn't this apply to bare bottom tanks too, though? Especially the ones that have starboard on the bottom.

 

[hometown9]

Later today I plan on buying sand for my 7.4g new build. My plan is to keep acros, millies, monti’s, etc.

I can’t decide on if I want white sand or black sand. Most tanks I see are bare bottom or white sand. Anyone have an SPS dominant tank with black sand?

Yup check it out. I like the contrast.

 

[MONTANTK]

Some black sand has metals and volcanic residue in it - this will not allow corals to thrive. Be careful. Other stuff is fine. If any of it sticks to a magnet, then get rid of it. Black sand is also not usually good for sand living and sifting creatures - it is like tiny little razor blades to them with all of the jaggedness and roughness.

Using the live stuff. I think the brand is aragalive but I forget. I had it in a previous tank and everything thrived. Not worried about sand sifting creatures as I won’t have any since the tank is only 7.4g

 

[MONTANTK]

Yup check it out. I like the contrast.

Wow that looks awesome! I agree, the contrast is what draws me to it. Plus it doesn’t appear as dirty