Black Aquarium Sand

[Laser]

Is there any less costly substitute for black aquarium sand? I don't think I want another tank with pool filter sand, so if I just have to suck it up and buy the more expensive aquarium sand that's what I'll do.

 

[Bbarb27]

Some people recommend black blasting sand and apparently have had good results. I read quite a few posts on fish forums that said it is is too abrasive for bottom dwellers. I wanted corys on black sand, so I decided not to risk it and bought Petco's black sand instead. Others seemed to have no problems with the blasting sand, so maybe it's ok.

 

[Laser]

I was reading about black blasting sand and I came across a few people that said it wasn't a good idea... although those same people said pool filter sand was a bad idea too. Do you like the petco sand though?

 

[Mrc8858]

Many of us on this forum use the black diamond blasting sand from tractor supply co with great results including myself

 

[abstract373]

i set up a 20 gal for my niece with black diamond blasting sand grit is 20/40 worked out great fish loved it and no issues if your going to have bottom dwellers just try to find a finer grit like 30/60 or better


good luck on your search try farm and fleet or industrial supply store

 

[Terrance]

Spectra quartz sand is what I have. 50lbs of blacm for $20.

 

[Bbarb27]

The only black blasting sand I could find around here had a pretty aggressive grit - it felt sharp on my fingers so I didn't want to try it with my corys.

I didn't like the petco sand at first because it took a long time for it to settle down. It seems much smaller and finer than the pool filter sand I'm used to, and I had quite a bit floating on the surface of the tank for the first week or so. I guess I prefer a slightly heavier/courser sand, but it's worked out ok. I love how it makes the colors of fish and plants pop, but it also shows fish waste.

 

[vanimal]

I ordered mine off PETCO.com it was 20 pounds for $13. It shouldn't cost to much to pay for it because I'm assuming you don't have a 220 gallon tank.

 

[Laser]

Yeah, it's for a 55. I can get a 50 lb bag of blasting sand for 8 dollars, or 60 lbs of sand from petco for 40 dollars. So, unless the petco sand is significantly better, I'm going with the blasting sand.

 

[KevinM]

I have the Black Petco sand in a betta tank and its nice. Does show a lot of crap on the bottom of the tank tho.

Theres only a few black sands out there from what Ive found. I was looking for some for my reef tank.


Aquarium Substrate for Marine Aquariums: CaribSea Instant Aquarium Substrate Tahitian Moon

its a little pricey but I have 40lbs here aiting to go in the reef tank, and from what I can see.. its really nice stuff

 

[vanimal]

I have the Black Petco sand in a betta tank and its nice. Does show a lot of crap on the bottom of the tank tho.

Theres only a few black sands out there from what Ive found. I was looking for some for my reef tank.

Aquarium Substrate for Marine Aquariums: CaribSea Instant Aquarium Substrate Tahitian Moon

its a little pricey but I have 40lbs here aiting to go in the reef tank, and from what I can see.. its really nice stuff

Yeah that's the best you can get.

 

[blert]

Many of us on this forum use the black diamond blasting sand from tractor supply co with great results including myself

+1 Great stuff and way cheap (less than $10 for 50 pounds).
No issues for bottom dwellers.

 

[abstract373]

I have the black moon sand and love it but that eas before i knew about blasting sand....going to try white moon sand on a shrimp tank see how that looks

 

[GreenTerrorNoob]

I have heard many ppl say it is ol to use... I have 2 firemouth and 2 black convicts that are always getting mouthfulls of pool filter sand that i use and moving it around in the caves smd spittin it out.. So i know pfs is safe i have heard the black sand from tractor supply works just as well

 

[jlbfish]

I have blasting sand in my ISO/QT tank and my 28 gallon everyone seems fine with it.

 

[abstract373]

Got it in my nieces 20 gal yellow labs love digging in it