Black Flourite Sand looks very good in the aquarium, if you like dark substrates, as I do. It is very fine by our usual standards for a substrate. I used it only because I trust Seachem not to sell a substrate that isn't suitable for that use. I poured most of it into the 10 gallon tank without washing it, but I washed the top half inch or so to try to avoid clouding of the water. That worked very well, but it is possible it was an unnecessary step.
It was easy to plant in, and it held plants well, unlike SMS which is so lightweight it sometimes doesn't hold plants well. I have never used Onyx Sand, so I have no opinion about it.
It was easy to plant in, and it held plants well, unlike SMS which is so lightweight it sometimes doesn't hold plants well. I have never used Onyx Sand, so I have no opinion about it.