LF Black Sand?

GreenSpottedPuffer · #1 12-12-2008, 12:51 AM

Is there a proper black sand for Marine tanks? I know I have used black sand in freshwater years ago but never salt. I want to use it in my FOWLR. Any ideas?

Hoping for something that will not turn grey too fast.

Marlin65 · #2 12-12-2008, 01:28 AM

Not sure where you would get it, but I have seen tanks with it.
Maybe ask your LFS if they can get it.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #3 12-12-2008, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlin65

Not sure where you would get it, but I have seen tanks with it.
Maybe ask your LFS if they can get it.

Yeah I have seen it too. I wonder if they are just using the same stuff the freshwater guys use. I know where to get that stuff.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #4 12-12-2008, 01:32 AM

J&L has some kind of black sand...looks grey though, not black to me. Its by Caribsea, so its probably good stuff.

fkshiu · #5 12-12-2008, 01:46 AM

I believe people have used 3M Colorquartz. It comes in two grain sizes and multiple colours. It is man made and very soft. I believe it is used in the pool industry. You can find it at Steel's which has a Burnaby and a Surrey location. It's something around $50 for a big bag of it.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #6 12-12-2008, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkshiu

I believe people have used 3M Colorquartz. It comes in two grain sizes and multiple colours. It is man made and very soft. I believe it is used in the pool industry. You can find it at Steel's which has a Burnaby and a Surrey location. It's something around $50 for a big bag of it.

Thanks. I will look into it.

Marlin65 · #7 12-12-2008, 01:46 AM

There is beaches with black sand so you might be able to get it.
They use all kinds of sand for reef tanks so the black sand is probably fine but you won't get the benefits of the minerals releasing back into the tank. In your case it won't matter anyway. The fresh water stuff is probably OK, just check to see what its main content is. I would think for a fish only system it is not that critical. Just my opinion though.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #8 12-12-2008, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlin65

There is beaches with black sand so you might be able to get it.
They use all kinds of sand for reef tanks so the black sand is probably fine but you won't get the benefits of the minerals releasing back into the tank. In your case it won't matter anyway. The fresh water stuff is probably OK, just check to see what its main content is. I would think for a fish only system it is not that critical. Just my opinion though.

Yeah I was kind of thinking the same. Its a FOWLR system so I don't want to spend the $40 on the Caribsea one. J&L have a cheaper black sand too I will look at.

tang daddy · #9 12-12-2008, 05:44 AM

Hey Justin I know some of the guys on bca were using this black stuff 3m quartz. oops just realized franklin had posted it anyhow let us know which one you use.