New substrate

[Fish Tank Travis]

I'm in a dilemma over the dark vs light sand for my 220. I'm on a bit of a budget but I really want black sand. I have eels through, so it can't be coarse sand, which means no blasting sand. I think I'm going to have to settle for white pool filter sand. I would rather have white than yellow/tan sand and since it doesn't look like black sand is within budget, I think that's what I'm going to go with.

Sorry for the derail, just sharing.

 

[Texas321]

I'm in a dilemma over the dark vs light sand for my 220. I'm on a bit of a budget but I really want black sand. I have eels through, so it can't be coarse sand, which means no blasting sand. I think I'm going to have to settle for white pool filter sand. I would rather have white than yellow/tan sand and since it doesn't look like black sand is within budget, I think that's what I'm going to go with.

Sorry for the derail, just sharing.

Same here in the black sand. I currently have white and I'm just about over it. I think black would look really good.

 

[jaws7777]

I had the same problem wssnt ready to take the red gsrnet sand route. I got some red flint sand...not really red though more like maroon/brown/black

I can try and find a pic if you like

 

[jaws7777]

Was in the lfs the other day and saw this brown seachem substrate looked great.

This is the red flint sand its ok i guess. Never kept rays but had the peace river, i think the edges maybe a little too sharp but could be wrong.

 

[Freshwater4Life]

I switched to black from pool filter sand and haven't looked back. Did cost a little more for the Tahitian moon that's for sure but it was def worth it.

 

[SandNukka15]

I love the mixed look and black sand would be one of my go to as well.....but the issue im posting about is mixing with the torpedo beach. If it was bare bottom i wouldnt have an issue..... i could take the torpedo beach out but ....

its a pain in the ass with a tank that size (600 gallons).....and i dont have any other tanks to put it in so im out $$$....

Im aiming for a mix of brown and black with the torpedo beach without it getting washed out with all the torpedo beach

And black and white gravel just looks horrible imo ......it would look like i dunked a few cases of oreos in my tank lol

 

[duanes]

Most substrates in nature are neither uniform, or monochromatic, and in my tanks I always go for a natural look.
Whether of not it is aesthetically pleasing is an entirely different story, depending on what you want.
I use PFS, with a few other colors and grain sizes mixed in to keep it from looking what I consider sterile, or non-natural. Normally PFS is light, and can tend to wash out colors, but with enough dark logs, stones, or green plants, that is not a problem.

 

[SandNukka15]

Most substrates in nature are neither uniform, or monochromatic, and in my tanks I always go for a natural look.
Whether of not it is aesthetically pleasing is an entirely different story, depending on what you want.
I use PFS, with a few other colors and grain sizes mixed in to keep it from looking what I consider sterile, or non-natural. Normally PFS is light, and can tend to wash out colors, but with enough dark logs, stones, or green plants, that is not a problem.

I love the natural look myself....but i would have to be careful with certain substarte with my rays

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

I switched to black from pool filter sand and haven't looked back. Did cost a little more for the Tahitian moon that's for sure but it was def worth it.

View attachment 1190488

Oh man, this just looks too good. I think I might have to bite the bullet and pay for black sand.

Does anyone know of a good source for black sand that is reasonably cheap and is soft enough for rays and spiny eels?