I am wondering how black silica sand would be considered as a substrate.
Having used it for some time now I wonder mainly if anyone knows about any effects it may have on the water or plants nutritionally.
It is 100% silica sand about 3mm grain size, used for sandblasting.
100lb bag is about $10.
I assume it is pretty inert and have added peat+mulm underneath and sometimes mixed flourite with it. The flourite mixed with it made the mix look either "more natural" or "more dirty" - either way I wasn't too happy with it.
The only drawback I find is that it tends to get dirty quick, basically all the fish droppings, dead leaves and other "stuff" that ends up on top of it shows up really easily so you really need to keep it clean for the best look.
When using it I have been dosing nutrients and CO2 regularly and not really noticed any jumps in GH/KH/PH like I see in CC or aragonite sand.
The main advantages IMO are the price and the look of it.
This is unfortunatly the best picture I have that illustrates the substrate.
Having used it for some time now I wonder mainly if anyone knows about any effects it may have on the water or plants nutritionally.
It is 100% silica sand about 3mm grain size, used for sandblasting.
100lb bag is about $10.
I assume it is pretty inert and have added peat+mulm underneath and sometimes mixed flourite with it. The flourite mixed with it made the mix look either "more natural" or "more dirty" - either way I wasn't too happy with it.
The only drawback I find is that it tends to get dirty quick, basically all the fish droppings, dead leaves and other "stuff" that ends up on top of it shows up really easily so you really need to keep it clean for the best look.
When using it I have been dosing nutrients and CO2 regularly and not really noticed any jumps in GH/KH/PH like I see in CC or aragonite sand.
The main advantages IMO are the price and the look of it.

This is unfortunatly the best picture I have that illustrates the substrate.