CaribSea vs. Nature's Ocean?

[Cassian]

hello all,
I will be setting up my dream tank in a few months and was getting prices on the things I will need. I will be putting black sand in my new tank and was wondering if the brand I buy really matters. I bought Nature's Ocean for my current tank and have been really happy with it. CaribSea is cheaper, but is it as good? Just wondering if any of you prefer a certain brand. does CaribSea instant cycle like Nature's Ocean does?

 

[BestMomEver]

I hear people talk about both. For me, Nature’s Ocean is the only thing my LFS sells so that’s what I got. I’ve set up a few tanks with it and it turns out fine. I think you will be ok either way.

 

[EmdeReef]

I doubt there’s much difference between the two.

The most important criteria when buying sand for me is the size of the grains. depending on how much flow you plan to have in your tank.

 

[ca1ore]

Just be aware that some of the black sand is magnetic. Can be a problem if you use a mag cleaner.

 

[Cassian]

Just be aware that some of the black sand is magnetic. Can be a problem if you use a mag cleaner.

I didn’t know that. Thanks! I have black sand now and noticed that sometimes the grain does get under the magnet. Never knew it was magnetic though

 

[jsvand5]

I’d just pick whichever had a grain size you were looking for. Also, neither will really do much to help as far as cycling goes.

 

[nano reef]

I hear people talk about both. For me, Nature’s Ocean is the only thing my LFS sells so that’s what I got. I’ve set up a few tanks with it and it turns out fine. I think you will be ok either way.

Did it instant cycle and add a fish right away? I somehow got both delivered and caribe sea figi pink i prettier to me. Well, actually nature ocean is really pretty but has huge grain size in the 8 lb one they sent me , claim to be 0.5 to 1;7, must be the 1.7 that makes such a huge difference caribe sea is up to 1.5

 

[nano reef]

natures ocean claims instant cycle and caribe sea says fater cycling. I did read they were different somehow and have to add biospira to caribe sea or cycle with pnemonia I think

 

[bjc451]

I would not worry about cycling with the sand that’s where the rock comes in. . The most important thing is too rinse the sand. Just rinse it with tap wate I used a hose. Then do a final rinse in RODI. Then add your own bacteria. Huge thread in sand rinsing