Non-buffering Sand...
 

I'm planning to use a black sand in my new reef system that has no buffering capacity. Is this going to cause me problems?

Not at all. Lots of us use no sand at all. I don't beleive sand really buffers the water regardless, the pH just isn't low enough to dissolve aragonite in any significant amount.

Ditto, you should be fine using black sand. Just keep it clean.

trouble
 

also if you ph drops low enough to use "buffering" sand as a buffer in any significant amount, you are not going to have too many livestock left to save.

reply
 

-all i can say is that it works for me, i used caribsea aragonite and my pH is
static at 8.5, doesn't go up or down so no need for baking soda-:surprise:

pH is not a good measure of buffering capacity or of carbonate hardness. What are you alkalinity levels without using a buffer/builder additive?

Well I'm never using baking soda my pH went from 9.0 to 8.8 and now I cant get the sucker down.:twised:

-shoot i gotta get a good alkalinity test, it's useful for calcium and pH...

pH
 

-hey mik didn't u say vinegar drives ur pH downwards in small amounts?

Thats what I herd.

the use of black sand is very much like using a BB. only difference is that detritus will show up more and bacteria will have surface area to grow on.

buffering would not be a large concern imo unless you're adding weird stuff (which under normal circumstances you wouldnt be).

I use blacksand with no noticable effect on my pH or any other parameters in my tank. It also looks pretty cool, and doesn't show the detritus as much in any dead areas.