Black Sand

[Chrisinator]

Anyone know where to get black sand for the future without having to spend so much money?

[tanker]

What is "so much money"?? Petco has small black gravel that is "not too expensive".

[bluekrissyspike]

check out any sand blasting places. someone i know locally got about 200 lbs of it for $60 canadian, so like $50 american. it's not treated with anything(but be sure to ask them) and it doesn't need to be rinced that much. they had other colours there as well, white, brown and beige. they also had a couple different grit sizes. you could also check out landscaping places and see what they have available. the package should say what it is and if it's treated with anything, then you can check it out online and see if it's safe for aquarium use.

[Yoemen]

I use tahitian moon sand. Petco sails it for like $20 for 20lbs. Pretty sure it is tahitian moon sand...it may be something else, but it is nice and black.

[starrystarstarr]

any pool supply place can have different grades and colors at a good price

[Chrisinator]

I mean by so much money is 20lbs for $20.. I need more than one bag for a 30 gallon lol.

[Chrisinator]

Finally got a 38G and was wondering on a good black substrate. I'd rather not use the 3M Quartz because it says it can cause cancer. Any ideas on good black sand?

[jptjpt]

3M quartz is inert and will not cause cancer. However, the silicate dust resulting from manufacturing it can cause cancer if you inhale it deep into your lungs. Just don't make a habit of breathing in the dust when you pour it out to wash it and you'll be fine. This does not affect fish in any way at all.

I really like 3M Quartz T grade, but it's getting harder to find since they will no longer be made starting in 2010.

[odinthejd]

same i like it

[247Plants]

I have 200 lbs of colorquartz t grade in my 180. No cancer here yet.

[katana1200]

Should be noted Tahitian Moon Sand is a glass by product so if you have anything that digs in the sand, corries, loaches etc. be aware they can suffer damage to barbells mouths and gills. 3M colorquartz is just a ceramic covered silica sand so as others have stated completely inert but I heard they are not making it any longer as the custom pool biz must be taking a hit these days. Good luck, I tried for black and ended up going for regular playground sand. At $5 for a large bag you can't beat the price.

[Chrisinator]

Thanks you so much for the responses guys! Yes, I was checking out the colorquartz but having a new baby in the family, I'm trying to be careful with the "cancer" that could result to it. I'll ask my family if it would be ok to use but to washign it out side.

[RBHunt]

That Tahitian moon sand really shows up in a tank, I think I am going to add a little bit to mine even if it is a bit sharp. Don't think I would do a whole tank in it.

[Chrisinator]

I'm just really worried about the sharpness in the Tahitian Moon Sand.

[katana1200]

So far as I know, if you don't have anything that likes to burrow, or smooth fish like plecos that run along the bottom you should be fine. If you have bottom dwellers I absolutely would recomend against it. Would be horrible to see a nice bristlenose pleco with a torn up belly because someone wanted to save a buck. There are safe options out there if you have soft bodied fish or bottom dwellers.

[Chrisinator]

Yeah, I'm planning to get Cories that's why I chose sand over Eco Complete. I think I'll just go with either Pool Filter Sand or 3M ColorQuartz.

[katana1200]

I have 5 panda corries and let me tell you, it's great fun to watch them plow nose down through the sand. They take in great gulps and spew clean sand out of their gills. They're like little torpedos. Sand is definately the way to go for those guys. The kuhli loaches do the same thing only faster and more random. Then they dance around the tank doing figure 8's and lying on the plants when they get tired. Sometimes they lay on the mystery snails like big lounge chairs. Good luck with your tank, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

[Chrisinator]

Thanks! I'm really am wanting to set-it up but I'm waiting to get the sand tomorrow after noon. I'm also waiting for my new filter to come in. I'm just gonna set-up the tank with my AC20 for the next 4-5 days while waiting on the filters and lights that I ordered from Big Als!

[BagelDog]

I've had Corys, Loaches, Eartheaters and you name it in a couple tanks of mine with nothing but Tahitian Moon Sand. No problems whatsoever. Their barbells look as good if not better than some I've seen in other tanks. (I keep a clean tank though and maybe that has something to do with it.)

[Chrisinator]

So, my dad has convinced me to get Fluorite Black! I like the look of it plus it's good for the tank. Hopefully, it works out.

Tank build starts tomorrow!

[FISHSHROD]

Cool , have fun !

[JimL]

Tank build starts tomorrow!


If we don't see pics, it didn't happen. :dance2:

[Chrisinator]

I'm just waiting to get all my supplies that I really need to start it. The filter and ligths are on their way so I'm gonna build it with my current stuff and upgrade. It's only gonna be about 4-5 days till they get hear and winter break is almost gone and won't have the time to do it during school week.

I'm gonna rinse the fluorite black that I bought. I know, I know. I liked the look of sand but the pain of rinsing it outside in the cold and having a new baby family member, I didn't wanna risk all the health hazards that came in with the 3M quarts or playsand.

So far, I'm pretty happy with what I got.

[Mgamer20o0]

playsand goes in sand boxes right kids play in it right i dont think it can be that dangerous. they make them put labels on everything even things that just isnt based on reality.

[jpappy789]

For the record, I used the tahitian moon sand with snails and never saw any problems with their foots...I don't think its as sharp as some people claim but JME.

[bazil323]

I think the Tahitian Moon Sand being possibly dangerous is another aquarium myth that gets spread about by people who don't want to risk it. But, as I've not tried it, I guess I can't really comment on it other than repeating those first-hand experiences from people who actually have kept it with those fish/inverts (like the above poster).

Anyways, I was going to suggest Flourite Black sand but held off because it is kinda expensive, but then you got it anyway, lol! I've got it in a 2.5g planted-only tank (mixed the leftovers with my gravel in 75g), and I can't stop saying how great it looks. The next tank I have (which will be awhile due to space) I'm definitely going to use black sand and probably use this stuff.

[Chrisinator]

As a review, Fluorite Black was so much easier to clean than my Eco-Complete. It took about 8 rinsing per batch. I only rinsed one of the bags so i can just put it on top of the unrinsed ones.