Opinions needed for new setup - Black Sand yes or no

[JenB]

We bought another tank off of craigslist... This one will be mine. It's a 65 gallon (smallest that we own). I want black sand - but my husband doesn't think it's a good idea. So I need opinions on that also feedback from those that have black sand. Also - we will be moving my BTAs into this tank because they are getting too close to the sps corals in the 220g. So it'll have 4 BTAs in it - So I'm not sure about coral yet - but does anyone have any aquascape designs that would be BTA friendly? I was thinking an inverted V... but looking for ideas. We still have to re-paint the stand, get a skimmer lights

Also - purple live rock - yes or no? Or just get regular live rock and wait for coraline to cover it

 

[Pfisherman]

Black sand gives great contrast to brightly colored corals and masks any diatoms and detritus on the sand bed. I think it looks great. However light colored sand may bounce light back up to the bottom of your corals. Maybe. Ive read that but im not convinced.

I personally prefer to start with dry rock and add only a few pieces of cured live rock simply vor cost effects and pest control.

 

[TheEngineer]

I have black sand in mine and I really like it. Same reasons as those stated by @Pfisherman

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Absolutely not if you want my opinion. lol. It looks cool at first, but eventually starts to look very "unnatural".

 

[Michael Yager]

I use black sand. Have used it on my other tanks. Much cleaner and better contrast as stated. I an currently building up a 180 reef with a display refugium. Here is a link to my build.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/my-180-gallon-build.222466/#post-2621703

 

[theblackpearl]

Had black sand for 5 years...gets kinda old and doesn't look very natural...but it does make your coral and fish pop...I'm switching it out with special grade reef sand...tired of the black

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I dislike black sand very much. It always looks dirty to me, more so than the white.

 

[Pete polyp]

Black sand usually contains iron and is magnetic. It's just a matter of time until you get a piece in your mag float and scratch up your tank.

 

[scardall]

I have black and white sand from the Pacific ocean. It is Caribbean sea live sand. I guess it does look dirty but, hey? When It is really dirty you can't really tell that much by looking at it. I choose it because the Fish I going to get come from that Ocean. You said this was your tank, yes? Buy the Sand You like and you are good.

 

[scardall]

I re- read your post and see that your putting in BTA's. Get ready for a pleasant surprise after introduction of these BTA's. They will likely divide again. Yepper that's right. Large water changes and moving to a new tank usual causes this to happen. It just takes one. Do Enjoy.

 

[Brian Kim]

It's true what some people said about getting tired of black sand and surprisingly it gets dirty, they sorta turn gray

 

[steiger33]

I just set up mine with black sand after the past 10 years of white sand. I wanted a change and I love the way all the corals and fish pop under the black

 

[scardall]

It's true what some people said about getting tired of black sand and surprisingly it gets dirty, they sorta turn gray

I like yours better. mine not as dark as yours. Cool

 

[JenB]

My btas split in my 220g too. We traded some of them. I think I have 5 left and one is staying in the 220 for two of the clowns. My other two host in my hammer lol

 

[steiger33]

Here is mine just finishing cycling.

 

[JenB]

I love how it looks! Where does the white end up coming from in established tanks? Why does it get a salt and pepper look eventually?

 

[Brian Kim]

I like yours better. mine not as dark as yours. Cool

Thanks, learned the hard way that the Hawaiian black are the pretty ones.

 

[Brian Kim]

I love how it looks! Where does the white end up coming from in established tanks? Why does it get a salt and pepper look eventually?

Get the Hawaiian black sand and it already comes with whites and they are really dark black

 

[scardall]

My btas split in my 220g too. We traded some of them. I think I have 5 left and one is staying in the 220 for two of the clowns. My other two host in my hammer lol

One thing I didn't say was before I sold and or gave away All mine is that I started with one and after a 1.5 years I had 10. So I do think it is cool that your going to dedicate a tank to them. My Largest one was 12" X 7" when expanded. Latter

 

[JenB]

One thing I didn't say was before I sold and or gave away All mine is that I started with one and after a 1.5 years I had 10. So I do think it is cool that your going to dedicate a tank to them. My Largest one was 12" X 7" when expanded. Latter

Wow!!! That's huge!!! Saw you're local - figured I'd throw a little local fun spot commercial in there "it's huge!!"