Imagitarium Synthetic Black Sand: Anyone else use it?

[musicsmaker]

I took a gamble a couple years ago, and decided to try it out in a nano. I really couldn't be happier with it. I was just curious if anyone else out there has been using the stuff for any length of time, and might be interested in sharing their experiences. For me, the first rinse produced practically no dust, and didn't noticeably cloud the water. At first the tank didn't have sufficient flow, and it formed an algal film on top of the sand bed like any other sand might do. When I upped the flow, it blew around a little but still didn't cloud up my water. I have some Acro frags in the tank right now, and they are super bright, and growing noticeably each day..

I gotta say. I'd def recommend it to a friend. Anyone else?

 

[Ron Reefman]

I'd never tried black sand before. But I recently set up a new 16g Rock Flower Anemone breeding tank and decided to use black sand. Just because the RFA colors against the black looks crazy!

I had read about people finding metals that were attracted magnets in their black sand. So I took a magnet to the store and put it up to the 2 different black sands they carried. One failed, and the Imagitarium Synthetic Black Sand passed with flying colors. I also had no dust at all when I washed it and no cloudiness in the tank. NONE! It's only been a few months in my new tank, but so far, so good.

 

[AcroNem]

I've used the Caribsea Hawaiian black sand in many, many systems over long periods of time and have always loved it. I haven't used the brand you're referring to, sounds like it's good too.

 

[musicsmaker]

I'd never tried black sand before. But I recently set up a new 16g Rock Flower Anemone breeding tank and decided to use black sand. Just because the RFA colors against the black looks crazy!

I had read about people finding metals that were attracted magnets in their black sand. So I took a magnet to the store and put it up to the 2 different black sands they carried. One failed, and the Imagitarium Synthetic Black Sand passed with flying colors. I also had no dust at all when I washed it and no cloudiness in the tank. NONE! It's only been a few months in my new tank, but so far, so good.

Thats what my tank is for! Just had a spawning event last week! There are other corals that live in there too, but the acros are only temporary. They've been in there much longer than they were originally supposed to be quarenteined, but they looks so good right now I'm afraid to move them.

I've used the Caribsea Hawaiian black sand in many, many systems over long periods of time and have always loved it. I haven't used the brand you're referring to, sounds like it's good too.

If I'm not mistaken, that sand comes volcanic rock. I've heard it was prone to scratching glass, which is why I avoided it. The look is awesome though.

 

[AcroNem]

Thats what my tank is for! Just had a spawning event last week! There are other corals that live in there too, but the acros are only temporary. They've been in there much longer than they were originally supposed to be quarenteined, but they looks so good right now I'm afraid to move them.
If I'm not mistaken, that sand comes volcanic rock. I've heard it was prone to scratching glass, which is why I avoided it. The look is awesome though.

Does look awesome. It is volcanic, and will scratch glass if it gets on a mag float/ cleaning pad.

 

[musicsmaker]

I haven't had any issues with this stuff scratching my glass, but I haven't tried my luck either. Maybe ill take a piece and try to scratch a scrap piece of glass or something.

 

[r20crazy]

if sand attracts to magnet, it has iron in it. volcanic rock/sand has iron in it... iron rusts... iron in tank...

most synthetic black sand i have seen is white sand ceramic coated... which should be safe.

 

[FlyPenFly]

I mean you know what GFO is right?

 

[saltcats]

I believe the reason the Hawaiian black scratches the glass isn't because it's a particularly sharp sand, but because it's magnetic it's very likely it'll stick to the algae scrubber and get between that and the glass.