Looking at using CaribSea Hawaiian black sand

Discussion in 'Sand' started by Coralli Asylum, Oct 3, 2010.

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  1. Coralli Asylum

    Coralli Asylum Plankton

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    I am starting up another reef tank this week. It's a 60 gallon cube (2'x2'x2'). I was wondering if anybody has this in their tank, and if so any gripes? I love the color, but was wondering what the drawbacks would be. :confused:
     
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  3. Seano Hermano

    Seano Hermano Giant Squid

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    I don't have it but I know black sand shows dirt easily. As in detritus, which doesn't look so good. Just vacuum the sanded every one in a while, or even just get some sand sifters & make sure you have good flow & then detritus should not be a problem.
     
  4. SushiGirl

    SushiGirl Barracuda

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    It looks horrible when you start getting detritus. My first round with my last tank I had black sand. Regretted it after a month LOL. It's also more coarse than most tank sand, which if you're going to have any kind of sandsifting fish probably isn't very good for them. I had a Diamond Watchman goby in there, and he really stirred it up. He never seemed to win as far as getting it clean & nice looking.

    You can see how "dirty" it looks in these pics. Any little piece of rock, shell, or anything else is going to show the contrast.
    View attachment 33561
    View attachment 33562

    And what you're looking at is the exact sand I used.
     
    Last edited: May 2, 2012
  5. Coralli Asylum

    Coralli Asylum Plankton

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    Thanks for the heads up,, I spent the day at the lfs. I had them order it for me but they said I don't have to buy it when it comes in. (they are great like that!!) Well, now I am going to have to think this over again,, it looks so good in the pictures but you both have helped.
     
  6. Seano Hermano

    Seano Hermano Giant Squid

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    No problem. I actually like the look of it in the first pic...^^^
     
  7. SushiGirl

    SushiGirl Barracuda

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    It looked a lot better when it was brand new LOL.
    By the time I took it out of my tank, it was probably only 2/3rds black anymore.
     
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  9. malac0da13

    malac0da13 Torch Coral

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    I have to agree it looks wonderful when its clean...it isn't easy to keep clean though. I don't know if anyone else noticed this but it also stains the rock I think. Everyone I have pulled a piece that was under the sand it was black. I dunno if it was permanent or not as I either stuck it back or forgot where it was stained.

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  10. SushiGirl

    SushiGirl Barracuda

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    I didn't notice any staining. True black sand shouldn't stain I wouldn't think. It does cling to everything though.
     
  11. malac0da13

    malac0da13 Torch Coral

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    Maybe that's what it was just a powder stuck to it. I used the same kind of sand though. Or maybe it was seachem...I forget now...

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  12. PierceEye

    PierceEye Aiptasia Anemone

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    Here are some pics of my Hawaiian Black Caribe with just my stuuners leds on
     

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