Pool Filter Sand VS. Black Diamond

[JML1997]

Considering a substrate change in my 220 gallon. I currently have about 3-4" of Pool Filter Sand in my 220 gallon. I'm on vacation in the states and leave Wednesday, and am torn whether or not to buy some sand. Essentially, I want my tank to look as natural as possible, and in my opinion, Pool Filter Sand isn't all that natural looking for SA/CA Cichlids.

 

[Sizzlahr]

I have black diamond sand.. It looks pretty good but not as good a the Tahitian moon sand.. The black diamond has small amber colored grains.. A few pics to show color. Overall it's not bad and my fish like to play and move it.


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[JML1997]

I have black diamond sand.. It looks pretty good but not as good a the Tahitian moon sand.. The black diamond has small amber colored grains.. A few pics to show color. Overall it's not bad and my fish like to play and move it.


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I like that tank. Nice Arowana. Does it easily unsettle? I don't mind that there are other colors of grain in there, because overall when you imagine the wild where the fish originate from, I don't imagine a solid color of Rocks/sand.

 

[Sizzlahr]

Yes, the sand settles quick. Black diamond comes in a different grit sizes. I mixed and rinsed 40 and 60 grit in a 30 gal tote.

Thanks, yeah that's my silver Arowana that I've had for two years.


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[JML1997]

I guess my real question is to achieve a natural look, would Pool Filter Sand or Black Diamond Sand be better? I'm leaning towards changing to Black Diamond Sand, despite Pool Filter Sand being in the lead of the poll.

 

[bbortko]

I don't remember seeing any shows on the Amazon or any other south American body of water and seeing black sand. Different stocks looks better with different substrates but pfs is a lot closer to natural than black.

 

[peathenster]

I don't remember seeing any shows on the Amazon or any other south American body of water and seeing black sand. Different stocks looks better with different substrates but pfs is a lot closer to natural than black.

I have to agree. While neither is exactly natural looking, PFS looks more like what you'd see in underwater videos. I mix a small amount of gravels with PFS in most of my tanks to make it look less boring, lol.

I only did black sand once in a 125 (TMS). This is how it looked like. Pretty cool (I thought) but not exactly natural. The interesting part about TMS is that you can strategically place some river rocks and they reflect light like underwater light bulbs, lol.

 

[spike38]

I've use black diamond in several tanks. Wash it well, Float out impurities.
I had algae blooms after the first tank, But not since.
And it brings out the fishes colors.

Spike

View attachment 801483View attachment 801484

Earlier post

Spike

 

[JML1997]

I have to agree. While neither is exactly natural looking, PFS looks more like what you'd see in underwater videos. I mix a small amount of gravels with PFS in most of my tanks to make it look less boring, lol.

I only did black sand once in a 125 (TMS). This is how it looked like. Pretty cool (I thought) but not exactly natural. The interesting part about TMS is that you can strategically place some river rocks and they reflect light like underwater light bulbs, lol.

I envy all of your tanks! Never new that white sand is what the natural substrate was in the wild. always thought it would've been dark blacks/greys/browns...

 

[JML1997]

I'm torn.... I have until Wednesday to decide.