There is someone selling substrates on ebay for really good prices. A 20lb bag at my lfs is 23bucks for black sand. What do you all think about this??? http://cgi.ebay.com/120-lbs-Black-A...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50
ebay substrate= 120lbs black sand shipped for 75bucks???
- Thread starter hybridtheoryd16
- Start date
hmm.. not exactly the best feedback rating in the world... but on the other hand all the negative looks like it came from idiots....
i vote go for it
just be sure to post back here and let us know how it goes
i vote go for it
just be sure to post back here and let us know how it goes
There have been people that have had the dye leach out of their sand and gravel up to the point that it was turning white. The problem that I see is this:
I'll talk about the SW part later. Talk to several of the California people about native black sand or the lack of it. I have only been to Southern California and there wasn't any black sand anywhere. To get natural black sand (that hasn't been dyed), it is my understanding that it has to come from Hawaii. I could be wrong so check with the Cali folks. It comes from volcanic activity, typically from volcanic islands.
Secondly, it can come from coke or iron production (slag). I haven't looked into it, but it is said to not be ideal for fish tanks (makes sense).
I also avoid ebay and craigslist listings that have the word 'WOW' in the title. The seller is either an idiot or is playing the buyer for an idiot (usually both). In such listings, you usually find claims that aren't true. The only substrate to have in a SW tank is crushed coral (down to sand sized grains). There isn't a naturally occuring black coral source, especially in California so this stuff isn't suitable for SW. The substrate in a SW tank does much of the biological filtration and you wouldn't want the pores filled with dye.
I'll talk about the SW part later. Talk to several of the California people about native black sand or the lack of it. I have only been to Southern California and there wasn't any black sand anywhere. To get natural black sand (that hasn't been dyed), it is my understanding that it has to come from Hawaii. I could be wrong so check with the Cali folks. It comes from volcanic activity, typically from volcanic islands.
Secondly, it can come from coke or iron production (slag). I haven't looked into it, but it is said to not be ideal for fish tanks (makes sense).
I also avoid ebay and craigslist listings that have the word 'WOW' in the title. The seller is either an idiot or is playing the buyer for an idiot (usually both). In such listings, you usually find claims that aren't true. The only substrate to have in a SW tank is crushed coral (down to sand sized grains). There isn't a naturally occuring black coral source, especially in California so this stuff isn't suitable for SW. The substrate in a SW tank does much of the biological filtration and you wouldn't want the pores filled with dye.
I think it is iron slag that has been milled. It is used for sandblasting. Check a welding/sand blasting website to compare prices.
When I hear the word slag. I usually think of the slag from a cutting torch or welder. So is this stuff actually iron/metal dust? If not is it actually sand?
hawaii is the only place with black sand beachs , and its illegal to take the black sand home. does sand blating material leech after a while. i have seen a few tanks using sand blasting sand. a discus tank being one of them, so i assume its safe.
WOW..I was going to bid one time on the Black sand!! good thing I didnt..good Info!CHOMPERS;2844837;2844837 said:
CHOMPERS;2844868; said:
LOL you beat me too it. That is what it looks like to me! As soon as I seen the listing i thought it was slag.
And you are right black sand comes from places with volcanic activity. Hawaii is one place that has some all back sandy beaches.