I Want Black Sand! Best Brand?

[The_Desacrator]

So I got an empty 60g in my room waiting to be set up. I would like to try sand this go around and I want black. This will be planted, most likely moderately to heavily. stock will be a pleco, a bunch of denison barbs, and maybe an invertebrate of some kind. I was my local petsmart had a sand by national geographic but didnt hear that it was so great. What brand should I go after? there is a somewhat local non petsmart/petco in the area so if its something specific they prolly have it.

Thanks.

 

[Mebbid]

If you want planted tank substrate i would go with eco complete. Its really popular, looks good, and is good for plants.

 

[The_Desacrator]

Okay thanks alot!

Two more questions:

How many pounds of sand do I need for a 60g?

How do I clean it so it's ready to actually be put in the tank

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[aclark]

I believe Ecco complete is already cleaned but not 100%. For 60 gallons you probably want 50-75 lbs.

 

[Brookster123]

Flourite black sand does the trick if you're after a finer substrate, the medium grain not the fine. The fine makes a mess and is best for a sub layer.

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[Mebbid]

Flourite black sand does the trick if you're after a finer substrate, the medium grain not the fine. The fine makes a mess and is best for a sub layer.

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I am just seeing the sand and regular flourite grain sizes. Would you happen to have a link?

 

[lewis addison]

I've got caribsea black sand looks really well has abit of a shine to it as well


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[Pseudomugil]

I have Tahitian black moon sand. It's really cool and sparkly and settles fast.

 

[TheresaM]

I have Tahitian moon sand in a few tanks, including the heavily planted jungle. I found it easy to work with but it definitely has a sparkle rather than being a flat black.

I have the large bag of National Geographic black sand, so far I've only used enough to do a thin layer in a 2.5g. It has a nice consistent color but was odd to rinse, lots of little sand bubbles. There's a thread about it here.

 

[The_Desacrator]

Is this the right eco complete substrate?

http://www.amazon.com/CaribSea-Eco-...8&qid=1448758488&sr=1-1&keywords=eco+complete

 

[Fresh2o]

Is this the right eco complete substrate?

http://www.amazon.com/CaribSea-Eco-...8&qid=1448758488&sr=1-1&keywords=eco+complete

Yes, however, it is more like gravel than sand. It is course and will trap waste. You can use a gravel vac on it. Great for growing plants. The black version is really a mixture of primarily black, with random gray, brown, tan, and red granules. If you are looking for a nice, consistently black substrate, go with black sand.
CaribSea used to make a fine grain black version of EcoComplete, however, it appears to have been discontinued.


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[Blky2k]

I don't know if you have a tractor supply around you but the sell Black Diamond blasting sand. 50#s for $8 get the medium grit it works great.

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