Black sand or white sand?

[MissTang]

Should I use black sand or white sand for my 75 gallon tank? Suggestions pleas!

 

[big ole blue]

From what I've heard, black substrate tends to heighten colors of the fish and invertebrates. I suppose it's a matter of what you'd think looks good. However if you're going for a specific area themed tank then black tends to suggest a volcanic region. Such as Hawaii and several other locations in the pacific.

 

[AlexG]

To me substrate is the choice of the owner of the aquarium. I dont think there is an incorrect decision unless it can be harmful to life that is chosen to be housed.

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[Bigsampson]

I thought I would like it,
Put some in my 40 frag tank.
Really don't. Gets dirty faster. Not as "cool" as I thought it would be.
Been there, done that, no t-shirt.

 

[Duffam3434]

In our 29 Gallon we did a mix, Started with White Live Sand then added Black Sand because we thought it would look better, Then we got a Diamond Goby and he mixed it up and I dont like it at all but to big of a pain to fix at this point. For the day or so we had the solid Black sand on top we Loved it!

 

[mrs.nanoreef]

I love my black sand. I've had white and it looks gross if it gets dirty never looks white. Plus everything pops with the black.

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[mrs.nanoreef]

To me substrate is the choice of the owner of the aquarium. I dont think there is an incorrect decision unless it can be harmful to life that is chosen to be housed.

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And I agree with him. It is really a personal preference.

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[Zack420]

Carib sea black scratches my glass

 

[Palting]

As has been said, it's really a matter of preference on the look. It has been said that black sand is harder to keep clean, but IMO that's just an urban legend: you have to work to keep both clean.

For me, I like black substrate because it just becomes part of the background, and anything of any color you place in the tank gets accentuated or "pops".

I'm sure you've seen lots of photos of tanks with white sand. Not too many black sand tanks out there, so here's a few photos of my black sand tank to help you visualize and help you choose. I used Arag-Alive Hawaiian black. It's a medium grain substrate. The grains are large enough that over time coralline has grown over it, and some softies like generic mushrooms, ricordeas and toadstool babies use it as an anchor. I used to religiously stir the surface weekly to keep it coal black in color, but I no longer touch it at all since I like the coralline look of the substrate.

 

[Palting]

Here's the direct link to the FTS. You can click on the photo, then click on the magnifying glass icon so you can zoom in and see the substrate better: http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab71/Kalawing/Aquarium3/IMG_0314_zpsfa14c32c.jpg~original

 

[shells4]

I love the look of the black sand with the coralline growing on it. Beautiful tank Palting!! We used black sand in a 29gal biocube. Thought it looked great at first but as we added corals we didn't think the colors popped as much as they should have. When we changed to white sand the colors of the corals were more vibrant. My theory is that the white sand reflects more light off of it, thus enhancing the colors. IDK, just my thoughts. I think the black sand would look great in a fish only tank.

 

[yojowill]

Thanks for this feedback and for sharing these pictures Palting. I love it and consider my decision made. I am going with black substrate!

 

[Linkfalcon]

Black with blue painted back makes things pop

 

[GHill762]

I have mixed b&w.. but like said above.. too much of a pain to change.. I'll go all white (probably tropic eden reef flakes) when I upgrade..