Black or Tan coloured sand?

[14crazychris]

Hi Everyone,

So now after some helpful users advice I’ve figured out I am going to opt for a black fibreglass tank instead of a white tank for my future stocking plans (BD stingray, arowana, datnoid and some cats) however I’m now not sure on substrate choice lol. I think a nice natural tan coloured sand will emulate the more natural environment better and lighten up the tank however it may look dirty? Guess the ray will turn it over though. Black sand may keep better and show up the rays colours? Also if the ray moves the sand out the way the tank colour will match the sand so it won’t look as obvious.

I'm planning to do a minimalist hardscape, large piece of bog wood or two at the back, sand base and then some round river stones. Few hardy plants along the back (not sure if they will get ripped to shreds but I’d like to try)

any pros or cons to black vs Tan/natural colour sand would be great!

Thank you

 

[duanes]

I don't believe either color will show dirt more than the other.
But I always like to use substrate that would be a natural color of the biotope.
Here are a couple underwater pics I took in Arhuaco river (a tributary of the Magdalena) in Colombia.

 

[14crazychris]

I don't believe either color will show dirt more than the other.
But I always like to use substrate that would be a natural color of the biotope.
Here are a couple underwater pics I took in Arhuaco river (a tributary of the Magdalena) in Colombia.
View attachment 1474822
View attachment 1474823
View attachment 1474824

awesome thanks for sharing the photos! I really did want to do a South American bio type aquarium but I really want the Asian arowana. Think the tan colour would look nice and bring out the colours more in the darker tank.

 

[duanes]

Couple examples, natural color substrate (PFS) dark background.

 

[14crazychris]

Couple examples, natural color substrate (PFS) dark background.
View attachment 1474828
View attachment 1474829
View attachment 1474830

awesome thanks, yeah it looks nice, same style I’m thinking about going for. thinking about mixing a small grain gravel in with the tan coloured sand for a more natural effect

 

[Caveden]

Hi Everyone,

So now after some helpful users advice I’ve figured out I am going to opt for a black fibreglass tank instead of a white tank for my future stocking plans (BD stingray, arowana, datnoid and some cats) however I’m now not sure on substrate choice lol. I think a nice natural tan coloured sand will emulate the more natural environment better and lighten up the tank however it may look dirty? Guess the ray will turn it over though. Black sand may keep better and show up the rays colours? Also if the ray moves the sand out the way the tank colour will match the sand so it won’t look as obvious.

I'm planning to do a minimalist hardscape, large piece of bog wood or two at the back, sand base and then some round river stones. Few hardy plants along the back (not sure if they will get ripped to shreds but I’d like to try)

any pros or cons to black vs Tan/natural colour sand would be great!

Thank you

If you try planting the plants into the substrate with the stingray inside, it would just uproot all the plants ?.

been there tried that, didn’t work

 

[14crazychris]

If you try planting the plants into the substrate with the stingray inside, it would just uproot all the plants ?.

been there tried that, didn’t work

yeah I’m thinking that will happen, what about some Vallis and amazon sword? Tucked in behind the drift wood at the back? Still won’t work? Otherwise a big water Lilly I’m thinking at the back to grow over everything. If first hand experience said it won’t work then I won’t try it but better I ask haha