black or white sand?

[Rinzy]

I am getting a 135 gallon tank that I intend to set up as a room divider so it will be viewable from 3 sides. I've been debating if I should do black sand or white sand. It sounds like black will require brighter lighting but will bring out colors in the tank better...but if I do white, I have the option of buying pool filter sand for way cheaper - but do you think it would be too bright in the tank and wash everything out? I'd like to see some pics of both if you guys have any..or if you just have any comments or suggestions. thanks

[barterking85]

It would really depend on what fish are going in some fish look way better over black sand

[volcomkrew4life]

I wouldn't go with pool filter sand. I'm no expert by ANY means but from what I've heard/read pool filter sand is a very bad idea. I don't exactly remember why but there's some downsides to it. Just givin you a heads up to research it first.

[alLexX]

Originally Posted by volcomkrew4life

I wouldn't go with pool filter sand. I'm no expert by ANY means but from what I've heard/read pool filter sand is a very bad idea. I don't exactly remember why but there's some downsides to it. Just givin you a heads up to research it first.

PFS is awesome,i have it in my 10 and my 55. it looks great and is easier to clean than gravel.

if you put a black backkground on your tank(what im planning to do)i dont think PFS will cause them to wash out

[volcomkrew4life]

My mistake. If it's a SILICA BASED PFS it can be bad.

[Fishguy2727]

Black or mixed, no white or other solid light colors.

[hippy guy]

Man, I have both, black makes it seem a bit smaller, but really pulls the colors of your fish out..on the other hand, white makes a tank appear bigger, but the fish seem drowned out in all the white...there both good looking overall though..and white is easier to see when its dirty I guess lol

[Rinzy]

Originally Posted by alLexX

PFS is awesome,i have it in my 10 and my 55. it looks great and is easier to clean than gravel.

if you put a black backkground on your tank(what im planning to do)i dont think PFS will cause them to wash out

I can't do a background as it will be viewable from both sides

[Terrance]

It will depend on the type of fish you want and how you want your tank to look. I'm looking for red sand because its easier for my brown/red congo puffer to dig into it and wait for unsuspecting preys.

I think black sand looks nice for colorful fishes that stay close to the bottom of the tank because it brings out their colors. If I don't anything that fits that description, then I would go for white sand.

[alLexX]

Originally Posted by Rinzy

I can't do a background as it will be viewable from both sides

either way,i dont think theyll wash out that much unless predators are present

[Rinzy]

Originally Posted by volcomkrew4life

My mistake. If it's a SILICA BASED PFS it can be bad.

I read somewhere that it isn't bad - silica is quartz which is what glass is made from - if this were the case, wouldn't keeping fish in glass tanks be bad?

[Flossie]

All my tanks have PFS

[xfactor6699]

Here is a black sand and here is a white pfs so u have an idea

[Heera]

I am deciding between PFS and gravel.
Pro's and Con's Plz.

I heard sand raises the ph. When cleaning u take out so much sand so have to add more every few months. Air pockets are deadly for fish....

[xfactor6699]

Originally Posted by Heera

I am deciding between PFS and gravel.
Pro's and Con's Plz.

I heard sand raises the ph. When cleaning u take out so much sand so have to add more every few months. Air pockets are deadly for fish....

Sand has never affected any of my ph and when cleaning u huvr over the sand ...i haven't lost or added sand in a year its actually easier to clean....and the air pocket thing I've heard of never seen it but if that's a worry u just get trumpiter snails and they mix the sand so that u have none.....ime sand is easier than gravel

[xfactor6699]

Originally Posted by Heera

I am deciding between PFS and gravel.
Pro's and Con's Plz.

I heard sand raises the ph. When cleaning u take out so much sand so have to add more every few months. Air pockets are deadly for fish....

U also say u are deciding between gravel and pfs...pfs is sand

[Mogurako]

I personally have a mix of black/white sand and love it!

The only sand that will affect PH is Cichlid sand by Cribsea and marine sands, everything else won't affect your water chemistry.

If sand is having to be replaced you are vacuuming to close to the sand when cleaning and sucking it out. Hover about an inch or so above it to suck up waste.

Anaerobic gas pockets in sand are pretty rare I believe Mr. Limpet did some research on the subject and was unable to find any documented cases. If you are super worried about it then get some Malaysian trumpet snails.

[reefdiver]

LFS sand is more easy to pick up than PFS. I have both black in my 20 and it does bring out the colors and you will not have to do a lot of vacuuming. The difference is in the grain PFS is much bigger

[FishieMomma]

I put in black sand and it looks stunning. I am focusing on colorful fish so bringing out their colors is a priority.

What's this about air pockets? I have air bubbles coming up from under the sand (which is on top of black with some blue gravel). Should I be worried?

[Mogurako]

Originally Posted by jen31972

I put in black sand and it looks stunning. I am focusing on colorful fish so bringing out their colors is a priority.

What's this about air pockets? I have air bubbles coming up from under the sand (which is on top of black with some blue gravel). Should I be worried?

Personally I wouldn't of put sand on top of gravel, I would recommend removing the sand take out the gravel and put the sand back in. JMO