Black sand - the good, the bad and ugly

[CRW Reef]

Crusing through another site, i saw some about to embark on a large tank build using black sand. So...im curious what people whom have used black sand think about it.

Did you like it?
Did you hate it?
Would you use again?
How big is/was your tank?
If it caused problems what were they?

 

[HondaHound]

I'm also curious, I've seen a few nano tanks that have used it. Looks kinda neat


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[fishguy69]

We did a white 16gal IM tank in black sand. Looked sweet and we never had any issues with it. I believe it was live sand from caribsea.

 

[greeneyedgirl]

I my sand is magnetic. It's horrible.


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[FinsUp]

I my sand is magnetic. It's horrible. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

same here. Magnetic and weird algae.

 

[Ambrosio Aquatics]

i love it in my 45 gal seahorse tank

 

[Mav]

Drew had black in his 150 gal might drop him a line, Gabe too if I remember

 

[ReefCheif]

Drew hated it im pretty sure. Not good to use in conjunction with magnetic scrubbers and of it gets into a pump or powerhead for any reason, forget it. Reaks havok cause its magnetic. Ive never had it, these are all horror stories ive heard.

 

[Bajamike]

If you like your mp's dont do it lol

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[Andrew_bram]

It's magnetic because of iron hence another reason the algae flourishes in it.

 

[Cherub]

I used black sand to make the coral pop under the blue LEDs and I hate hate hate hate hate hate hate... I can't say it enough. I hate the black sand! In a larger tank it looks dirty all the time. It's magnetic even after the bag said it wasn't. It doesn't offer any buffer capabilities. Yes I hear people say don't worry about PH.. still it's one of my complaints. I would never suggest it again. Aragonite all the way.

 

[cdrewferd]

I loved the way it looked in my 120. Didn't have issues with extra crap on the sand. However, just due to it being magnetic, I wouldn't use it again. Was too easy to accidentally stir it up and have it get caught on my flipper. Pain to clean around.

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