Black vs white sand?

[jesse_larsen]

I’m interested in black sand for my new build to help make the colors of the coral pop but I’ve seen people who wanted black sand turn to regular sand for “better benefits”....?I’m curious to see what these are and if you can even get large grain black sand? All feedback is welcomed

 

[NY_Caveman]

Just be careful which black sand you choose. See here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ati-results-back-sources-of-vanadium.385031/

 

[jesse_larsen]

Just be careful which black sand you choose. See here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ati-results-back-sources-of-vanadium.385031/

Wow that thread was a trip! His problem was with his SPS however I won’t be having any my tank (I say that now) so I wonder if I should just do it....he said his non SPS corals were just fine....tricky option

 

[davocean]

I prefer the natural look of white sand and how it reflects and fills in shadow areas, especially noticeable in pics if you are a photo buff.

Black usually ends up looking ashy, and also some black sand has particles that can be magnetic, and can lead to scratches if you use a mag float.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

My wife has black sand in hers and as you mentioned the corals do pop. Personally I plan to go with white in mine. I cannot vouch if one has better benefits than the other. It boils down to astetics for me. Scratching in her Biocube has not been an issue but I'm very careful when cleaning.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Wow that thread was a trip! His problem was with his SPS however I won’t be having any my tank (I say that now) so I wonder if I should just do it....he said his non SPS corals were just fine....tricky option

The problem there was the Tahitian Black Moon sand. The Hawaiian black sand seemed to test fine.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

The problem there was the Tahitian Black Moon sand. The Hawaiian black sand seemed to test fine.

Whew! She has the Hawaiian! Thanks for clarifying Caveman!

 

[jesse_larsen]

The problem there was the Tahitian Black Moon sand. The Hawaiian black sand seemed to test fine.

Oh perfect....do u know if that comes in larger grain sizes? Seems to me I can only find small grain sized black sand..

 

[NY_Caveman]

I am no sand expert. Just remembered that thread. Honestly, in 40 years of keeping fresh and marine aquariums I have never used sand. Just seems like a way to make a mess and collect waste to me, but I know I am way in the minority in that opinion.

 

[jesse.garcia.319]

I have a mix sand bed

 

[NY_Caveman]

I have a mix sand bed

That looks great!

 

[jesse_larsen]

I have a mix sand bed

That’s beautiful! Did you mix it yourself or buy it premixed?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have mine mixed as a salt & pepper effect. Looks great under all phases of lighting

 

[Dragon52]

I had Black sand (Carib-sea Hawaiian) in my tank for quite awhile, every time I added gobies or Yellowhead Jawfish they didn't last any time at all, switched to white sand & now have had 2 sets of Wheeler's gobies with shrimp & a Yellowhead for months. As I kept looking into the black sand I found out it was more coarse than the white even though it was close to the same size.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I should also mention- Be careful what blend black you get. Some of it will stick to your cleaning magnets and scratch your glass

 

[bluewill]

One advantage to white sand , it reflects a lot of light back up into the tank from below. and dramatically reduces effects of shadowing effects . although this is more important with an SPS dominant system , its a consideration .