Black Sand

I really like the look of black sand and am thinking about putting it in my tank. Does anyone know of a good quality black sand out there? Would there be any problem seeding it with my established live rock?

 

black sand would be cool. but...im not sure if you get the buffering ability of an argonite sand.

 

i dont know if its quality but i have some black tahitan moon sand in my nano

oh yea this is an old pic, the damsel and psedo are no longer in there

 

What exactly do you mean that it does not buffer...sorry for the newb question. Would it be any more likely to scratch my glass then normal sand? Is some of it died and some of it natural?

 

the aragonite absence will reduce the buffering of the pH MEANING aragonite does a good job at keeping your pH stable so you dont have to

personally I dont like black sand because any detrius that falls on it is really visible ... just my $0.02

 

I don't mean to discourage you, but I have black sand in my tank and I won't do it again. With any specs of live rock fragments, other things it just doesn't look right. I'll go with a natural sand in my new one.

Just make sure you think it through completely and are happy with your choice.

M

 

Natures Ocean makes an argonite black beach live sand...but it is pricey, around $25 for 20 lbs....ugh.

I guess white it is. Anyone have a good brand suggestion? Just want to start the tank of right.

 

totally agree i have fiji pink in my reef and i prefer it over the black

 

Black sand is natural. It's eroded lava. I don't like it on beaches because it gets so hot in the sun that it burns my feet... but it is beautiful to look at. A little mixing with specks of live rock and detritus looks natural as well, you just have to decide if that's your preference.

It isn't CaCO3, so from a pH standpoint it's not chemically active, but it will support all the life that aragonite sand supports. If you have enough live rock that will act as a pH buffer in absence of aragonite or oolitic sand. You could also layer it, or mix it...seen that a few times and it looks ok. Not natural really, but looks ok.

-Doug

 

I'm unaware of any naturally occurring black aragonite, as all I have ever seen in eroded lave... but I guess it can happen... anyone got more info on natural black aragonite?