I received my CaribSea Torpedo Beach Sand today and after thoroughly cleaning it, I added it to the new aquarium that I had set up yesterday. It came with a bag of clarifier but I didn't need it.
Unfortunately my device doesn't support this forum's format so I am unable to submit photos. (I can email or text photos.) I will attempt to be descriptive in the following narrative.
The Caribsea sand from the distance appears a pleasant and natural white and beige as a sun bleached tropical beach, with minutely crushed shells.
It feels gritty to the touch at first but rubbing it and closer inspection reveals it has rounded, mixed size granules, ranging from ¼ the size of a rice grain to the size of a salt granule. Close up these appear as tiny agates mixed with crushed shell (shell like silicone?)
I have decided not to mix it with my finer white aquarium sand at this point. As it looks great by itself. I will experiment mix together a sampling of the two different sands outside the tank tomorrow.
Vibrant lighting with translucent grey, white cloud mountain fish, grey angelfish, electric yellow cichlid, and champagne Albino Cories and grey/green striated pinnacle rocks compliment the sand.
The Caribsea instructions declare vacuuming should not be necessary, but if one decides to, to vacuum lightly over the surface.
Note: I used rocks, filter and water from previous tank to season the new tank.
Also noticed my cichlid began immediately mouthing the sand with what appeared to be great enthusiasm. I think a planting of short pruned Valisnaria would also look good in the open spaces of this substrate.
Equipping large tanks with this substrate might not be cost effective, but having naturalized separate but blending areas with complimentary gravel as I have done might be an answer. (Sandy foreground with gravel and rocky recesses. I will also be researching the best priced outlets to obtain CaribSea Torpedo Beach.
This is for @ Cardeater and others interested in the additional values of the CaribSea Torpedo Beach Sand as they appear to me.
You, (@ Cardeater) had expressed interest in anyone with experience with this brand and type of sand, and no one had yet reponded with experience. I though I had better get some experience for you so you would have at least one response.
I was also Starting a new tank, so I can repair/buff out scratches from an old tank. Other members had recommended the reasonable priced Novus 3-2-1 scratch/buff/polish kit.
My new, tank is striking. It was possibly going to be a temporary aquarium, but I am taken with it.
Here are new discoveries about CaribSea, Torpedo Beach Sand: Plantroots are easily and planted, and seem to stay achored in place... for now. Later if needed I wiil had temperary root wrap weights or small stones until established.
It is too early to tell if it requires no or low maintenance cleaning as claimed, but will report that aspect of it as appears apparent to me. My other tank with fine white aquarium sand is very attractive with little cleaning or stirring required. I will get the brand and cost of that, which I have forgotten. The bag included a biostarter wet packet (Beneficial bacteria starter optional)
Carib sea runs $10.45 including shipping on Amazon by Couch Potato Enterprises LLC for 5 lb bag. (I wanted to try out a smaller amount first.) It was shipped in a quick 2-3 days, considering the company name.
As I recall Petco sold 10# bags Torpedo Beach for $10, plus tax and shipping, came to $21. I will check into larger bag prices at various outlets and report.
I really like the appearance of This Topedo Beach Sand. Irriatates and glistens with white light and is crisp, but still matches to look like a natural beach I have multiple color options. The T.B. Sand picks up nice huses of green or blue, or champagne or others. I also have blending alternating colors that enhance or change fish color, all color function for social occasionals.
I decided to keep my tank with a split, but blending theme of vivid, striated gray/green cliffs, peaks, rocks and gravel, for the interior of the aquarium and the separate, fairly open Beach surrounded by plants and maybe suffused with a few. Just started on some planting last night. I have back ground aquarium photo scroll I may or may not add.
I will post you,
@Cardeater personal and see if that format will support photos better, or leave you my email address **SO I can send you a small closeup photo sample of different textures of the dry Torpedo sand, and again in arranged wet in the tank. Also mixed and layered with my finer aquarium sand. I had mixed small amounts of the the slightly larger grain playsand and it mixed well. The different sizes it not let the fines pack as densely--easier to clean, and less stirring clouds that settle quickly and color hue is changed very little. Again mix small test amounts.
>>I can also mail you a small free packet of my Torpedo Beach Sand since you have an avid interest in it.
Another idea is contacting the manufacturer and tell them another acquaintance of yours has purchased the product and is very pleased with it. You have also have researched it extensively and are very interested in purchasing it because of It's many quality features, (list them) But you would like to test the texture and look before you make such investment. List the size of your tank. Even though you might not buy the full amount of the sand, or even buy small installments.
Another option is to go to your local fish store and open up a small bag and let you experience a small amount of TBSand, and retape the bag. On my other aquarium sand my Local FS even sold me a half a bag since a didn't need a full bag to finish (top up the older tank.
If other members are interested in viewing pictures of Torpedo Beach Sand close up texture and insutu appearance in tank. Contact me with a personal conversation and I will email you photos, until I have figured a way and have time to post photos on this forum.
>At an older site a gentleman or two told me of several apps I could install but photos would have to viewed there. I will have find the older conversation and reiew it. I don't know if there is a short cut.
