Post by fuzzylogic on Mar 31, 2012 10:36:53 GMT -6
I started a project back before December after reading a few threads on using blasting media as a substrate or substrate cap in a planted tank. I was in the market for Tahitian moon sand made by Caribsea until I realized that only 20 lbs of it was around 30 dollars. The cheapest alternative I found in a black sand was a blasting media found at Tractor Supply made by a company called Black Diamond. A 50 lb bag of it sells for only 8 dollars and will cover a 55 Gallon tank with no problem. There are even alternatives to this product and they go by the names of Black Beauty and Black Blast. I needed to know if this cost effective media was fish safe and what were my Pros and Cons so with this in mind I started my project.
This sandlike product is a byproduct of coal mining and is used in media blasting equipment. It isn't dyed or painted and the rich black sheen does not fade. It is completely inert and from a chemical standpoint I believe has no effects on an aquarium. People who use the Walsted method or use organic mixes in their planted tanks sometimes cap their substrate with an inch of this. I personally think it looks as good or better than the Caribsea black or other black sands designed for aquarium use. It had low dust right out of the bag compared to pool filter sand or playground sand but I still recommend and very good rinsing. They offer 4 or 5 different grit sizes but I went with the 20-40 which was in the middle. It was not rough at all to the touch. I hand mixed while I was rinsing and it was as smooth as anything else I've ever used in a tank. The fish loved it immediately. All of the cichlids dig and move sand on a regular basis. Water tests using the run of the mill Wal-mart strips have shown no changes whatsoever and the substrate has now been in the tank close to 6 months with no fish loss. I was mainly concerned with PH but this hasn't been an issue.
In conclusion I would definitely recommend this product. many people I have researched are using it with much success. I would definitely put this in another tank as a cheap alternative to a pricey dark substrate. The price alone is what sold me as well as the non fading color, and activity of the fish in the tank. I will include a few pics a link to the company as well as the TSC webpage:
The bag it comes in
Size comparison to a dime
Forgive the tank pictures as they were taken with my phone so they aren't very clear. The glass could have also used a good cleaning
TSC link to product
www.tractorsupply.com/black-diamond-20-40-blasting-media-50-lb--3905403
Company Link
www.ati-blackdiamond.com/new/littlefury.htm
This sandlike product is a byproduct of coal mining and is used in media blasting equipment. It isn't dyed or painted and the rich black sheen does not fade. It is completely inert and from a chemical standpoint I believe has no effects on an aquarium. People who use the Walsted method or use organic mixes in their planted tanks sometimes cap their substrate with an inch of this. I personally think it looks as good or better than the Caribsea black or other black sands designed for aquarium use. It had low dust right out of the bag compared to pool filter sand or playground sand but I still recommend and very good rinsing. They offer 4 or 5 different grit sizes but I went with the 20-40 which was in the middle. It was not rough at all to the touch. I hand mixed while I was rinsing and it was as smooth as anything else I've ever used in a tank. The fish loved it immediately. All of the cichlids dig and move sand on a regular basis. Water tests using the run of the mill Wal-mart strips have shown no changes whatsoever and the substrate has now been in the tank close to 6 months with no fish loss. I was mainly concerned with PH but this hasn't been an issue.
In conclusion I would definitely recommend this product. many people I have researched are using it with much success. I would definitely put this in another tank as a cheap alternative to a pricey dark substrate. The price alone is what sold me as well as the non fading color, and activity of the fish in the tank. I will include a few pics a link to the company as well as the TSC webpage:
The bag it comes in
Size comparison to a dime
Forgive the tank pictures as they were taken with my phone so they aren't very clear. The glass could have also used a good cleaning
TSC link to product
www.tractorsupply.com/black-diamond-20-40-blasting-media-50-lb--3905403
Company Link
www.ati-blackdiamond.com/new/littlefury.htm