Black Pool Sand
- Thread starter rshew
- Start date
I don’t think theee is black pool sand, but Black Diamond sand is beautiful and just as cheap
I'd be really interested in black pool filter sand; please post here if you manage to find a source for some! 
Black Diamond? Yeah, looks nice; I'd suggest you do a bit of research as to its origin and possible problems regarding its use for an aquarium. Before the endorsements come flying in...yes, I know many people use it and love it. I'm just suggesting the OP know what he is getting.
Black Diamond? Yeah, looks nice; I'd suggest you do a bit of research as to its origin and possible problems regarding its use for an aquarium. Before the endorsements come flying in...yes, I know many people use it and love it. I'm just suggesting the OP know what he is getting.
I'd be really interested in black pool filter sand; please post here if you manage to find a source for some!
Black Diamond? Yeah, looks nice; I'd suggest you do a bit of research as to its origin and possible problems regarding its use for an aquarium. Before the endorsements come flying in...yes, I know many people use it and love it. I'm just suggesting the OP know what he is getting.
Currently have it in a tank, and wanting to change out the substrate. What are possible problems with using this?
Google it. Lots of stories from.people who love it and have no problems...and lots of stories from folks who report visible "oil slicks" in their tanks that must be either skimmed off or allowed to dissipate over time with water changes. Why so much controversy?
I helped a friend set up a few tanks and she chose to use this right out of the bag. Yep...disgusting oily film on water surface. She insisted on using up the bag and followed internet instructions to wash the stuff...resulting in another oil slick in the other tank and in her bathtub! Proponents say the oil is harmless; maybe so...but I don't want it in my aquarium.
BDBS also has a slight unnatural gleam or shine under some lighting which I personally don't care for.
BDBS is industrial waste, a slag byproduct of smelting that some enterprising bright bulb saw a use for: as a sand blasting medium. That's smart. But then extending that to aquariums is going too far for me. YMMV.
I helped a friend set up a few tanks and she chose to use this right out of the bag. Yep...disgusting oily film on water surface. She insisted on using up the bag and followed internet instructions to wash the stuff...resulting in another oil slick in the other tank and in her bathtub! Proponents say the oil is harmless; maybe so...but I don't want it in my aquarium.
BDBS also has a slight unnatural gleam or shine under some lighting which I personally don't care for.
BDBS is industrial waste, a slag byproduct of smelting that some enterprising bright bulb saw a use for: as a sand blasting medium. That's smart. But then extending that to aquariums is going too far for me. YMMV.
Black Diamond Blasting Sand is great. Especially for planted tanks. About $10 for a 50 lb bag from Tractor Supply Co. Much more expensive anywhere else. But a lot of people don't understand just how much prep work it is or just how important it is.
First of all, go with the 20/40 grit (medium). The finer one is just too fine and dense..not great for plant roots/diggers. Just like others said, it's coal slag by-product. Machines that are used often are also working with metals so get a high powered magnet from home depot.
Having a large tank means HOURS of cleaning. Soaking in hot water. Stirring and agitating. Dumping the dirty water. Over and over. Doing in smaller amounts (think like 4" of sand in a 5 gal bucket) with as many buckets you have actually makes it easier. DON'T DO THIS IN YOUR BATHTUB. VERY BAD FOR PLUMBLING LONG TERM. DUMP THE WATER OUTSIDE. Once the water is clean from hot water, you can take it outside, stick a hose in there, and let it overflow for a bit. It's heavy enough to not overflow with the water. Go overboard. Clean it more than you think you should. You don't wanna deal with the oily film in your tank.
Run that magnet through it over and over. Better safe than sorry, and you'll see what I mean. Oh and an old pillowcase works magic. Sand in pillowcase..acts as a durable strainer.
Do you really have to do all this? I guess not, but the people saying it wasn't good for their diggers/corys/bottom dwellers with barbels..probably didn't do all this.
First of all, go with the 20/40 grit (medium). The finer one is just too fine and dense..not great for plant roots/diggers. Just like others said, it's coal slag by-product. Machines that are used often are also working with metals so get a high powered magnet from home depot.
Having a large tank means HOURS of cleaning. Soaking in hot water. Stirring and agitating. Dumping the dirty water. Over and over. Doing in smaller amounts (think like 4" of sand in a 5 gal bucket) with as many buckets you have actually makes it easier. DON'T DO THIS IN YOUR BATHTUB. VERY BAD FOR PLUMBLING LONG TERM. DUMP THE WATER OUTSIDE. Once the water is clean from hot water, you can take it outside, stick a hose in there, and let it overflow for a bit. It's heavy enough to not overflow with the water. Go overboard. Clean it more than you think you should. You don't wanna deal with the oily film in your tank.
Run that magnet through it over and over. Better safe than sorry, and you'll see what I mean. Oh and an old pillowcase works magic. Sand in pillowcase..acts as a durable strainer.
Do you really have to do all this? I guess not, but the people saying it wasn't good for their diggers/corys/bottom dwellers with barbels..probably didn't do all this.
If you don't wanna do all this, you can literally google black aquarium sand..there's a few different brands. But you're looking at $1 or more per lb. Planted tank and $$ not an issue? Look at Seachem fluorite black at around $30 for 15 lbs.
Lots of work and cheap, or no work and 5x the price? Up to you. But if you wanna try BDBS or fluorite, do your research and understand what you're getting into. It may not be for you..or it may be exactly what you need.
Should also mention both BDBS and seachem fluorite are both (on their own) inert. And they won't get sucked into your filter and ruin your impeller (as long as you use the 20/40 medium grit for BDBS). Either way..get a pre filter sponge if you're using sand. Good for multiple reasons. So many that it's a whole other conversation.