Pure Black Sand?

[PupChow]

Hi all, I am looking to buy pure black sand online but it looks like most of them is a mix of color. Wondering if anyone knows of a good source? TIA.

 

[SalinFL]

Hi all, I am looking to buy pure black sand online but it looks like most of them is a mix of color. Wondering if anyone knows of a good source? TIA.

Not trying to persuade you otherwise, but have you taken care of black sand before? Over the long haul it's tedious to put it nicely.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Not trying to persuade you otherwise, but have you taken care of black sand before? Over the long haul it's tedious to put it nicely.

yea. I hate mine. HATE. Scratched GLASS.

 

[PupChow]

Not trying to persuade you otherwise, but have you taken care of black sand before? Over the long haul it's tedious to put it nicely.

I have not tried black sand before, a quick search yields that quite a few people on R2R shares the same sentiment. What is it in particular makes black sand such a pain? Magnetic particles seems to be the main one that pops up (which is surprising), are there other things that I should take into consideration?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Magnetic particles

gets on any magnet. scraper cleaner, powerhead, pumps.
the mag float killed me.

 

[mhaun]

I use the CaribSea arag alive. It is mostly black with white flecks. Love the look of it. But you have to be aware of the particulate that can cling to your magnets before hand. I only mag float the glass to about an inch from the bottom. Then use a scraper if needed for the rest. I've been using it for a couple of years now. No issues.

 

[cloak]

You can't beat that black on black in a freshwater tank. That black sand with the purple rocks and stuff looks a little weird IMO. The natural color of sand seems to compliment the rest sometimes. I know there are black sand beaches around the world, but these locations are few and far between. It's your call though. GL.

Maybe check www.bulkreefsupply.com or perhaps www.drfoster&smith.com

 

[mhaun]

I use the CaribSea arag alive. It is mostly black with white flecks. Love the look of it. But you have to be aware of the particulate that can cling to your magnets before hand. I only mag float the glass to about an inch from the bottom. Then use a scraper if needed for the rest. I've been using it for a couple of years now. No issues.

I purchased mine on Amazon on a sweet deal (petsmart is the vendor for them). Petsmart actually runs a sale on this every few weeks.

 

[PupChow]

Thank you guys for your input! I am now trying to decide if I want to go bare bottom (black acrylic) or try dealing with black sand clinging on things...

 

[PupChow]

OK going to try bare bottom first, thanks for talking me out of black sand.