Black or White Sand

I'm in the process of setting up my 40 Gallon Planted Tank. The only plants I will be using are, Java Fern/Moss, Anubius, and maybe a couple of Amazon Swords.
The question is, What sand looks better ? Any one willing to share their opinion ?
All my plants are going to be attached to the driftwood (Other than my swords). I'm going for a natural looking tank with lots of driftwood and plants.

Also does anyone know about seachem flourite substrate ?

Thanks guys

 

What fish would you be stocking? The ones that you have listed below?

 

Yes But when I set up my 110 Gallon american cichlid tank, ill be removing the clown loaches into the 110.

 

I say go with black sand. That's what I'm gonna use for my 60 gallon I'll be setting up in a couple months

 

I think they both look pretty nice, but I do like the look of white sand better. Makes the plants pop and looks more natural than black sand IMO. But it is easier to see the detritus on white sand... There's a pitfall to everything.

 

I've got black and really like the look of it. It makes my cardinal tetras look like they are absolutely glowing against the black background for comparison.

 

I have black sand, however with black sand you can see the waste and more than the white sand.

 

I have black sand, however with black sand you can see the waste and more than the white sand.

Weird, I would have guessed the opposite!

I've not used sand, but you may wish to consider off-white rather than stark white if you're going for a natural look.

 

Black is my choice. I see a lot of cichlid tanks have white or sand color with pale rocks. I don't like Flourite. Flourite makes a mess and your cichlids will dig it all up and cloud the water. It's not needed with your plant choices.

 

I've got black sand and it looks amazing. Sparkles nicely in the sunlight, but like the above post says it does show the waste much more. My frogs make such a mess eating in my tank that you would see left over food everywhere. I've since started dropping their food into a clay pot and they don't make nearly as much of a mess now

 

Thanks for all the opinions guys, I think ill go with black sand

 

my fave is tahitian moon sand. I have been using it for about 1.5 years, and it always looks new. I cannot see waste on it. my white sand tanks look messy. the sand is all discolored, and I can see all the waste on the bottom. i'd go black. =]

 

Black tends to make the fishes colors pop more.

 

I have black sand in my 15 Gallon, against a black background, and set it off with a few live plants and white pebbles, they look very good against the black sand. Also, from what I have seen, the colours of the fish seem to intensify with a black sand substrate.

 

Where do you guys get black sand? I can't seem to find any.

 

Where do you guys get black sand? I can't seem to find any.

This is the black sand substrate that I use.

Dan.

 

I usually order mine online....if you buy enough at fostersandsmith....it's free shipping

-j

 

Petco has it. A little steep at $15 for twenty pounds. I've also seen it on amazon

 

Opinions? I really like the look of both and can't decide. Does one show off the fish better? Show algae more? Anything else I need to know before I flip a coin and buy some today?

 

Black shows off color better, and does not show debris like white does.

White reflects the light more, and in my opinion, algae grows faster in tanks with white substrate.

I like both myself. But if I had to go with one of the other, I would get black. Having a black background with black sand looks very nice.

 

white growing algae more seems pretty logical because like marie1 said it bounces the light back and gives the algae more exposure Thus making it grow more:. I think black looks really neat to.

 

So I went with aqua terra black sand. I had no choice in the brand. Did not like any of the rocks I looked at. Way too many pieces of driftwood. I am way too indecisive!! Lol

So I will start rinsing tomorrow and start setting up and cycling. I'm super excited! I do have a bit of a vision coming together.

 

Good choice! Black sand looks awesome.

 

Black sand looks really nice especially if you have shrimp or colourfull tetras!

 

Black also goes good with bright green plants.

GL

 

I finally have a vision starting. I'm not normally a creative person. More of a researcher. But I've been looking at pictures for inspiration.

I think I'm going to source local rock. I have a couple places that have black bedrock. Plus I might look around for some nice purple or blueish rocks. I'll go for a quad ride tomorrow and see what I can find.

 

Good luck!

GL

 

Black sand really looks great. Several years ago I had a 150 gallon cichlid tank with the salt and pepper (bland & white) which at the time I thouight was great. Sometime later I saw a large tank with black sand and it was to late to change out that big tanks sand. The black sure showed off the colors of the fish. I am building a 72 bowfront now but using natural colored gravel. I know as other have said you will like the black.
Have fun building it. Thanks

Clean Water = Happy Healthy Fish

 

I believe white sand is more peaceful looking! :/ Here's my setup. Just designed it:

 

Nice tank jcmguy!

Once I get my 20 gallon set up, I'm going to start re-doing my 10g. I think I will do white sand in the 10. I really do like both!

 

But white sand is a tad harder to keep clean so be warned. I just think it looks nicer when clean.

 

Most fish are happier with dark substrates, and are stressed on light ones because they can't blend in and are very conspicuous. Especially fish like catfish and other fish that normally are coloured so they blend in.

 

I'm toying with the idea of getting some Corys which means I should switch out my aquarium gravel to something finer (if I've understood correctly). On a personal level, I think black sand really makes fish and plants pop... but I do find it a bit... melancholy. I also like the white sand but I don't find fish pop as much but it does remind me of the Caribbean , which I adore and draws my heart.

What I want to know, is what is best for fish? I've read a number of comments saying that a fish's colour will get brighter with dark sand and white sand will wash a fish out. Supposedly, the fish will try to blend in to the light colour. By that same argument, you'd think black substrate would make a fish dull? I've also seen other people claim white sand enhances a fishes colour and black sand won't make the fish pop.

Does anyone know which is actually the case?

 

Definitely black. They stand out more on black. Darker substrate makes fish feel more secure. On white substrate you can see every tiny bit of dirt so easily.

 

You pick

 

I think it's dependent on the fish. For instance, my gold severums seem to pop much more on my black sand but it's also causing my heterospila to appear darker than they normally do. By the same token, my hoplo catfish are almost completely black when they are on my black sand but I can clearly see their spots in the bare bottom tank.

 

Go with black sand. I used white sand for my 55 gallon and now I wish it was black. You can see everything on white, especially diatoms and algae.

 

I'm toying with the idea of getting some Corys which means I should switch out my aquarium gravel to something finer (if I've understood correctly). On a personal level, I think black sand really makes fish and plants pop... but I do find it a bit... melancholy. I also like the white sand but I don't find fish pop as much but it does remind me of the Caribbean , which I adore and draws my heart.

What I want to know, is what is best for fish? I've read a number of comments saying that a fish's colour will get brighter with dark sand and white sand will wash a fish out. Supposedly, the fish will try to blend in to the light colour. By that same argument, you'd think black substrate would make a fish dull? I've also seen other people claim white sand enhances a fishes colour and black sand won't make the fish pop.

Does anyone know which is actually the case?

I have black but the fish waste is more noticeable so more cleaning

 

Definitely black. They stand out more on black. Darker substrate makes fish feel more secure. On white substrate you can see every tiny bit of dirt so easily.

Fish feeling more secure likely makes sense for dark substrate, as a lot of fish probably have a darker environment in the wild.

You pickView attachment 322868 View attachment 322869

I like both in different ways lol. Beautiful aquariums, thanks for the pics!

 

my favorite is black gravel and black back ground. Kinda like hot looking cars, black on black with blacked out windows!