Salt and pepper sand / Sahara Sand

[Brian1f1]

Considering trying a white and black sand mix. Has anybody tried that here? I was also curious if anybody knew about the suitability of Caribbsea Sahara Sand for marine applications. It’s marketed as a cichlid substrate, I like the look and have used for it’s intended purpose before, but can’t seem to find what it’s composed of anywhere.

 

[Maggie321]

Is there a reason you wouldn't go with the black and white type designed for saltwater tanks?

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/indo-pacific-black-arag-alive-live-reef-sand-caribsea.html

 

[Brian1f1]

Is there a reason you wouldn't go with the black and white type designed for saltwater tanks?

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/indo-pacific-black-arag-alive-live-reef-sand-caribsea.html

Thanks, I have a few reasons I was considering using it (and maybe just as a blend).

1. I like the grain size, small but doesn’t blow and pretty well graded.

2. I’ve seen it in person and it looks nice.

3. I can find it for about 2/3s the price of the style you found (but I appreciate it, and I may well go with your suggestion).

I wonder if it’s really any different chemically.

 

[Maggie321]

Thanks, I have a few reasons I was considering using it (and maybe just as a blend).

1. I like the grain size, small but doesn’t blow and pretty well graded.

2. I’ve seen it in person and it looks nice.

3. I can find it for about 2/3s the price of the style you found (but I appreciate it, and I may well go with your suggestion).

I wonder if it’s really any different chemically.

I see and understand about the grain size, but as far as blowing, any small grain will likely blow in a reef tank since they have such high flow compared to freshwater tanks. I actually wonder if it's not lighter than substrate designed for a reef. I have seen it too and I agree it's nice looking, it adds a very nice texture. As far as the cost goes, I would only worry that it would cost more in the long run. If the bag says reef safe I may be less wary of it but if it does not say reef safe, I would definately avoid it. I actually just bought 5 bags of the type that I sent the link on because I like the look of the black and white (I also figure it will hide more yuck). Start a thread when you get going!

 

[Brian1f1]

I see and understand about the grain size, but as far as blowing, any small grain will likely blow in a reef tank since they have such high flow compared to freshwater tanks. I actually wonder if it's not lighter than substrate designed for a reef. I have seen it too and I agree it's nice looking, it adds a very nice texture. As far as the cost goes, I would only worry that it would cost more in the long run. If the bag says reef safe I may be less wary of it but if it does not say reef safe, I would definately avoid it. I actually just bought 5 bags of the type that I sent the link on because I like the look of the black and white (I also figure it will hide more yuck). Start a thread when you get going!

Thanks, let me know how you like it when you get it in. I messaged the company just now too, I’ll let you know if they actually give me any useful information.

I’ve been thinking about starting a build thread. I had a 525 XL delivered Friday. Jumping back in after a 7 or so year break (more like avoidance after an absolutely brutal crash).

 

[Maggie321]

Thanks, let me know how you like it when you get it in. I messaged the company just now too, I’ll let you know if they actually give me any useful information.

I’ve been thinking about starting a build thread. I had a 525 XL delivered Friday. Jumping back in after a 7 or so year break (more like avoidance after an absolutely brutal crash).

That will be a beautiful tank! I understand being a bit guyshy after a crash. But you are clearly researching! I've only been in the hobby about a year for salt. Fresh it's been years and years. Good luck!

 

[GoVols]

Is there a reason you wouldn't go with the black and white type designed for saltwater tanks?

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/indo-pacific-black-arag-alive-live-reef-sand-caribsea.html

Maggie,
That's a really nice choice.

 

[Maggie321]

I lost my like button on the last update

 

[GoVols]

I lost my like button on the last update

Lol!!

 

[Maggie321]

I lost my like button on the last update

Like magic I can like again!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd suggest for folks to be careful with black sands (unless they are true washed beach sands). I've never been a fan of them chemically, and here's a recent thread with some analysis of one:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ati-results-back-sources-of-vanadium.385031/

 

[Maggie321]

Thank you for this link. Wealth of info in there

I'd suggest for folks to be careful with black sands (unless they are true washed beach sands). I've never been a fan of them chemically, and here's a recent thread with some analysis of one:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ati-results-back-sources-of-vanadium.385031/

 

[Brian1f1]

Thank you for this link. Wealth of info in there

Well Maggie, I was just about to order the indo, now I don’t know what to do... you’d think that one would be ok, it’s meant for reefs.

 

[Maggie321]

Well Maggie, I was just about to order the indo, now I don’t know what to do... you’d think that one would be ok, it’s meant for reefs.

Man, I don't know either. I have 100 lbs of it in my living room waiting for the stand to get built and the tank to get drilled. I think I am going to do it and cross my fingers. I got the live not the dry so I do think I am going to rinse it. I am not at all scared of killing off their bacteria and introducing my own. I might even do a long soak and drain repeatedly in RODI water to remove as many impurities as possible. Yea, I think that's what I will do. I have plenty of buckets and totes to do repeated soak an drain.

 

[Brian1f1]

Man, I don't know either. I have 100 lbs of it in my living room waiting for the stand to get built and the tank to get drilled. I think I am going to do it and cross my fingers. I got the live not the dry so I do think I am going to rinse it. I am not at all scared of killing off their bacteria and introducing my own. I might even do a long soak and drain repeatedly in RODI water to remove as many impurities as possible. Yea, I think that's what I will do. I have plenty of buckets and totes to do repeated soak an drain.

I don’t think that would fix long term leaching of the metals they are discussing. The one guy had it in tank for months (or longer). I’m sure many many water changes, never dropped enough to make it work. Hope would be the Indo isn’t nearly as contaminated.

 

[Maggie321]

I don’t think that would fix long term leaching of the metals they are discussing. The one guy had it in tank for months (or longer). I’m sure many many water changes, never dropped enough to make it work. Hope would be the Indo isn’t nearly as contaminated.

Right. His original sand was not indo. His original sand is what was leaching. And they did say the Hawaiian black that was the replacement looked better on the micron scope. I am going with the indo is just as ok as the Hawaiian. I will still do a good rinse and soak. For good measure. My small tank started with dry so like I said I'm not afraid of introducing bottled bacteria and waiting a few months for a cycle to complete.

 

[Brian1f1]

One guy did say he has some slightly elevated levels with the indo, but nothing like the moon. Glad I didn’t do the Sahara Sand now, who knows...

 

[TheEngineer]

I’d stay away from the black sand personally. I had it in my 50g. The Hawaiian black live sand. Absolutely has magnetic grains in it. I had a lot of trouble with that tank in ways I’ve never had with any other tank. I suspect the sand to be a part of the problem if not the whole problem.

 

[Maggie321]

I’d stay away from the black sand personally. I had it in my 50g. The Hawaiian black live sand. Absolutely has magnetic grains in it. I had a lot of trouble with that tank in ways I’ve never had with any other tank. I suspect the sand to be a part of the problem if not the whole problem.

Even the indo pacific?

 

[TheEngineer]

I got the same brand but the Hawaiian Black, not Indo. Can’t speak for that one.