Mixing Substrate - Sand

[Aquashel]

Hi everyone!

I'm having a hard time making a decision on what substrate to use in my DT's. I'm toying with the idea of mixing Nature's Ocean BLACK BEACH LIVE SAND & AUSTRALIAN GOLD LIVE SAND for one of my DT's. This evening I stopped at a local retailer and checked out CaribSea ARAG-ALIVE Hawaiian Black. I didn't like the Typical Size: 0.25 - 3.5mm and it also didn't seem like the black would pop out.

Does anyone have experience with Natures Ocean Black Beach Live Sand? I want to go with black sand in one of my tanks if possible. Unfortunately I haven't found a manufacture that has a good quality black sand.

I think I may just mix the Black Beach Live & Australian GOLD. I think they could work well together. ANY THOUGHTS???

In my other DT I was thinking of CaribSea ARAG-ALIVE Fiji Pink. I've only heard good things. My other option and one I'm seriously considering is mixing Nature's Ocean SAMOA PINK LIVE SAND® & CaribSea ARAG-ALIVE Special Grade Reef. Both are similar in size and I really think the SAMOA PINK would pop out when mixed with Special Grade Reef.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas that may help in my decision. I also wouldn't turn down images of your reefs.

-J (MnAquaReefer)

 

[Big G]

Just removed AA Fiji Pink from my DT. The stuff was a diatom magnet/factory. Swapped it out with AA Special Grade. Much nicer and stays cleaner, blows around a lot less too.

 

[ZoWhat]

I'd research ;Bookworm this forum on black sand. Some say black sand has traces of metal deposits not good for a reef....

 

[Big G]

I'd research ;Bookworm this forum on black sand. Some say black sand has traces of metal deposits not good for a reef....

Good point. Black sand is from decomposed lava flows with a much higher iron content.

 

[Aquashel]

Just removed AA Fiji Pink from my DT. The stuff was a diatom magnet/factory. Swapped it out with AA Special Grade. Much nicer and stays cleaner, blows around a lot less too.

Thanks Big G! I will probably stay away from Fiji Pink

 

[Aquashel]

I'd research ;Bookworm this forum on black sand. Some say black sand has traces of metal deposits not good for a reef....

Bummer on the Black Sand.

 

[Big G]

Bummer on the Black Sand.

Yeah, I thought about it too. Really love those black sand beaches in Hawaii.

 

[Aquashel]

Yeah, I thought about it too. Really love those black sand beaches in Hawaii.

I might just go with Nature's Ocean Australian Gold mixed with Black Beach. I think they would look great together. Also mixing AA Special Grade with Nature's Samoa Pink.