Let's talk sand.

[jdeb101]

As some of you may have already read, a few of us were discussing black sand in another thread. It was mentioned that it comes from lava and is known to leach. Does anyone know of any studies or articles on this?

And while we are discussing sand, what's everyone's opinions on these questions that have been lingering in my head.

- Is it necessary to replace the sand bed after a few years? Who does it and why?
- Besides flow, how do you all keep the sand bed clean? Do you rely on cuc? Do you vacuum it?

 

[diverbh4]

I would be curious to know what black sand leeches.

 

[stingythingy45]

I have the same sand bed since 2008 with no issues.
Also have egg crate under that sand, with no scary black pockets of noxious gas bubbles. And it's cheap H.D. sand to boot.lol

 

[nemodan]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_sand


Black sand is sand that is black in color. One type of black sand is a heavy, glossy, partly magnetic mixture of usually fine sands, found as part of a placer deposit. Another type of black sand, found on beaches near a volcano, consists of tiny fragments of lava.

While some beaches are predominantly made of black sand, even other colour beaches (e.g. gold and white) can often have deposits of black sand, particularly after storms. Larger waves can sort out sand grains leaving deposits of heavy minerals visible on the surface of erosion scarps.

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Go and read the full story in the link I provided.

My sand is NOT magnetic, so it is from Lava. Corals are growing OK and I know the tank of P-nuts that has the same sand and all has been driving fantastically well after 1 1/2 years. I like the color contrast with the corals and rocks.

Daniel

 

[this is me]

When people don't know what's going on in their tank, they point to the sand. But it's usually something else.

 

[Ryan17]

So can we determine that sand made from lava, such as the Hawaiian sand in my new tank is safe or a stupid impulse buy and it should be removed

 

[P-Nut]

I would be curious to know what black sand leeches.

Aquarium sand leeches myths. Thats all.

 

[P-Nut]

So can we determine that sand made from lava, such as the Hawaiian sand in my new tank is safe or a stupid impulse buy and it should be removed

Are your corals and fish happy?
Are things growing?

If yes....then don't worry about a thing. If no, then don't worry about the sand, it probably isn't damaging anything.

 

[Ryan17]

so far so good!

 

[diverbh4]

Aquarium sand leeches myths. Thats all.

lol thought so. I was thinking possibly extra minerals but that's about it.

I think my tank was looking better with my B/W sand...I miss it

 

[jdeb101]

Are your corals and fish happy?
Are things growing?

If yes....then don't worry about a thing. If no, then don't worry about the sand, it probably isn't damaging anything.

I agree.

So I know this has prob been discussed a million times, but since we are on the topic of sand I want to ask what do you guys do to keep the sandbed clean? My black sand looks pretty dirty as I never vacuum it and only have a few hermits and snails to possibly stir it up a little. I got decent flow in the tank and cant really increase it much more without upsetting corals.

 

[Dekon]

I never did anythng to my sand in my BioCube. It never looked dirty, but then again, I had a lo of flow in that tank. Here is a picture.

 

[P-Nut]

I agree.

So I know this has prob been discussed a million times, but since we are on the topic of sand I want to ask what do you guys do to keep the sandbed clean? My black sand looks pretty dirty as I never vacuum it and only have a few hermits and snails to possibly stir it up a little. I got decent flow in the tank and cant really increase it much more without upsetting corals.

Good clean up crew, good flow and no over feeding. Thats all. If you overfeed, keep 4 serpent star fish for every 36x18" of your tank and a few nasarius snails.