Krish
RF STAFF
You can set it up like that, but it won't end up that way. The fine sand will just work it's way through the crushed corals and eventually you will have crushed corals on top of sand.
Sand
- Thread starter Krish
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You can set it up like that, but it won't end up that way. The fine sand will just work it's way through the crushed corals and eventually you will have crushed corals on top of sand.
mercenary-grunt
Well-known member
What about the really coarse stuff like crushed corals? I heard they can trap a lot of waste. Well it was a nightmare for me. Much preferred something finer for sure.
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lol ok you got me... but you can at least siphon crushed. the fine stuff all you'll do it pull it out of your tank.
anywho i would go with a nice medium grade. mine is all a mix of medium and small crushed. but i have horseshoe crabs playing in it. they mix, eat left-overs, and are kinda fun to watch them run around blindly.
Sasquatch
Well-known member
can anyone believe that sand in Krish's tank would be so disobedient?
07FocusST
Well-known member
lol.... i love my sugar fine white sand.... you'll never convert me Krish.... but we can still be friends right!??
Krish
RF STAFF
josh88
Well-known member
Yeah I just got live black sand. .5mm to 1.mm
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Sasquatch
Well-known member
I admit I love the look of black sand but I tried 3 times with different brands and always had a mess with it
josh88
Well-known member
Mess with what exactly. Like different sands, or the flow. My black sand has white specs in it. Not sure as to.why if its called black sand
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iroll253
Well-known member
I have read that black sands contain a hight amount of silicates which cause all sorts of algae problems. I have kept a couple tanks with sand but eventually have had problems due to it. I have to say I am with krish all the way on this one, I do love the look of sand but it is purely not worth the headache for me and Ill never be going back. To minimize the amount of detritus build up I just run a k4 behind my rocks before every water change as well as siphon my only known build up spot. BB is just too easy! The only thing I could really do to compensate for the look was paint the opposite side of the bottom white. With the reflection I have coral growth in caves you would never expect! Don't know what ill do to keep that that awkward growth when the bottom turns purple though.... hmm
Krish
RF STAFF
Black sand is as natural looking as a bare bottom tank for those that love sand
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josh88
Well-known member
@ iroll, and Krish. The the women of the house likes the black sand I tried to argue saying its my hobby, but as a young man I've learned that arguing is pointless, your always wrong even when you know your right. So how do I keep the black sand and avoid the algea issue. And what additives should I put in my tank to help with the cycling and The ph balance in the tank. Or will it all even out. I've read on line to put buffers in my tank. And this purple buffer to help beneficial bacteria growth, and for my live rock, anyone got their own take on this?
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Sasquatch
Well-known member
Taking a scientific leap here lol, the sand we prefer is calcium based ie. crushed coral growth, black sand would I imagine be crushed lava and volcanic origin minerals, iron and granites, none of these is calcium based, because of the high potential for iron and heavy minerals in "black sand" it falls into the same category as lava rock... possibly ok but should be used with caution (like the big nasty algae outbreak lol)
To avoid an algae outbreak... wait for it to happen then replace all sand.
Sand beds are not a requirement for balance, buffers may be needed at some point and are easily added, as for the purple stuff? it will give your tank a sexually transmitted disease and your girlfriend will desert you, reef safe, don't do the purple gunk.
Well most folks know I am not a big sand fan but to be honest their is not alot wrong with it. As with most things it comes with pros and cons, as long as we are aware of them and do what needs to be done, you will be fine.
Mojo
Mojo
Krish
RF STAFF
Mojo is 100% correct even if it is coming from a traitor who has sand in his new tank!
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Peppie
Well-known member
You could always epoxy the black sand to the bottom of the tank. Then paint another coat of epoxy over the top of the black sand. Keep the wife happy. Semi BB for turning up the flow without a sand storm.
Sasquatch
Well-known member
wouldn't that annoy the sand people?
When you go bare bottom, if its true BB or something similar to what you suggesting Pep its always going to turn purple with corraline. When I ran BB on the L every 6 months or so a 4 foot sheet of corraline would begin to raise off the bottom and almost go upright before breaking pieces.
Black sand is usually quartz or sometimes chalcedony, their are some black sands that come from volcanic but they are a bit rare.
Mike
Black sand is usually quartz or sometimes chalcedony, their are some black sands that come from volcanic but they are a bit rare.
Mike
Peppie
Well-known member
IMO sand people are a little "Shifty" anyway.
Krish
RF STAFF
I never had an issue to talk about with coralline taking over my white PVC bottom. I use to get purple spots, but never sheets of it anywhere. My rocks were always colored up, but never my walls or floor. I found it strange, but never complained.
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josh88
Well-known member
Yeah its Caribbean live sand. So its not completely black sand. I'm also waiting for a vor-tec powerhead to come in the mail. Everything is just waiting on that part and My protein skimmer, and then I will be posting step by step pics of setting it up, And starting the cycling process
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