Black sand or dirt?

[JTRG05]

I want to do a black substrate for my new 10 gallon tank, but my question is: I want something fine grained (not gravel) like sand or dirt. Is there a black sand that is easily accessible, and would dirt be safe for an aquarium, and if so, what kind?

I've been thinking freshwater, but may try brackish, so a substrate that will work with these.

Will probably be filled with some sort of crustacean.

 

[sostoudt]

I want to do a black substrate for my new 10 gallon tank, but my question is: I want something fine grained (not gravel) like sand or dirt. Is there a black sand that is easily accessible, and would dirt be safe for an aquarium, and if so, what kind?

I've been thinking freshwater, but may try brackish, so a substrate that will work with these.

Will probably be filled with some sort of crustacean.

dirt would probably be dirty and cloud your water ive seen it before tho.

black sand, theres a bunch of companies that sell that. i had black sand before i liked it

 

[trevinoboy]

why don't you try some tile

 

[Toby_H]

dirt would probably be dirty

Although I agree with what you said and feel it was good advice... I still chuckled when I read that part...

You definitely want the individual grains to be heavy enough to stay on the bottom of the tank as much as possible and to quickly settle when they do get srtirred up...

Dirt will get suspended in the water column excessively and quickly dissappoint you...

Thee are some natrual clays that can be used as substrates... but I have no clue where to find them unless it appears in your region naturally....

Thee are a number of sands available, just watch grain size. 3M colorquartz is aquarium safe sand that comes in an array of colors including black. It comes in two sizes, you will want the larger size (I forget what they call it).

In my experience, many "aquarium sand" products are fine grained and are not good for aquarium use...

 

[Drazn]

Try Colorquartz T grade. Its a little larger than Pool Filter sand. IF you can find it in your area it maybe just what you have been looking for.