Grey Sand Substrate

Hello All!

I'm looking to see if anyone has any suggestions for grey or dark grey sand substrate? We'll be getting KuhlI Loaches and I want to make sure they have a good soft sand to be on and burrow in.

I'd really like a darker grey so our colorful fish really pop against it. I considered black but I fear the Kuhlis may not stand out too much.

I saw Seachem Onyx Sand, which looks like a good dark grey, but it also looks like it has some sharpness to it.

Advice and even pictures would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

I know this isn't gray, but Flourite black sand makes any tank look great. It really makes the colors of your fish pop out and your Kuhlis will love burrowing into it!

 

No experience with Onyx sand, but I did a quick search. It looks more charcoal than grey. I would think a lighter sand would make the khulis pop out more. I never had them, so maybe not. I collect my own sand. There will be dust and dirt you won’t notice until you start rinsing it out.

 

Flourite black sand. I hear it's a very dark grey.

It's enhanced with nutrients so it's fantastic for plants.

 

Wow, I didn't expect to get so many responses so quick!

Achilles and CanadianJoeh Seems like you both are thinking Flourite black sand would be a good option. I'll check it out.

scarface Finding my own sand would be super nice but there isn't anything I can get in winter around me, plus I really would like a darker sand to make our colorful fish pop while also allowing our Kuhlis to stand out a bit. Which is why I'm thinking a darker grey.

 

I don't know of an actual grey sand (except Unipac Limpopo but I can't seem to find it in Canada)

Have you considered a mix of black and white? I've seen it in a few peoples' tanks and it looks lovely. I think the Estes Marine Sand/Stoney River is a very nice brand - heard it has minimal clouding, won't alter pH and the grain size is uniform (no gas pockets). If you want darker, go with less white. It also hides fish poop like a champ.

I've ordered just the black and if it's too dark I'll add in some white.

 

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I don't know of an actual grey sand (except Unipac Limpopo but I can't seem to find it in Canada)

Have you considered a mix of black and white? I've seen it in a few peoples' tanks and it looks lovely. I think the Estes Marine Sand/Stoney River is a very nice brand - heard it has minimal clouding, won't alter pH and the grain size is uniform (no gas pockets). If you want darker, go with less white. It also hides fish poop like a champ.

I've ordered just the black and if it's too dark I'll add in some white.

The black and white is good advice. The white addition may help the KuhlI to stick out a bit more as opposed to using solid black sand.

I did come across Unipac Limpopo, but I was only seeing it available to order from the UK...not looking to spend a crazy amount in shipping. :-/

 

Dennerle make a really well reviewed grey substrate.

 

Dennerle make a really well reviewed grey substrate.

HI MalJ!

I just looked up the sand you suggested, and like the Unipac Limpopo, I can't find it available in the US. It seems like the US doesn't like grey sand.

 

HI MalJ!

I just looked up the sand you suggested, and like the Unipac Limpopo, I can't find it available in the US. It seems like the US doesn't like grey sand.

It’s actually Dennerle, not Unipac. I see that brand sold here in the US. Worth a look maybe.

 

It’s actually Dennerle, not Unipac. I see that brand sold here in the US. Worth a look maybe.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. Unipac (which is also grey) was suggested earlier in this thread and I was merely stating that I couldn't find the Unipac nor the Dennerle available in the US.

However, if you found Dennerle available in the US, would you mind providing a link or letting me know which US store it's available from?

Thanks!

 

Sorry for the misunderstanding. Unipac (which is also grey) was suggested earlier in this thread and I was merely stating that I couldn't find the Unipac nor the Dennerle available in the US.

However, if you found Dennerle available in the US, would you mind providing a link or letting me know which US store it's available from?

Thanks!

Monster Aquariums in Flushing, NY. Not sure if they have that exact substrate though or if they even ship.

 

another vote for seachem flourite sand. It's what I have, it's definitely grey and not black. It's messy at first (clouds water up) but once it settles it's easy to take care of. It's super super fine sand so it's really soft.

 

I just reached out to Seachem asking if they by chance provide samples. Hoping that they'd be willing to send a sample of Flourite Black Sand as well as a sample of their Onyx Sand.

Here's to hoping!

 

I just reached out to Seachem asking if they by chance provide samples. Hoping that they'd be willing to send a sample of Flourite Black Sand as well as a sample of their Onyx Sand.

Here's to hoping!

Seachem said they'd send me some free samples.

 

Hopefully the seachem stuff works out. The slate colors stuff is pretty pricey on amazon.

 

Hopefully the seachem stuff works out. The slate colors stuff is pretty pricey on amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Substrate-Grey-Fish-Aquatic-Pets/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n:2975476011,p_n_size_browse-vebin:2569821011

Thanks outlaw!! If I can't find a good dark sand, then slate color would definitely be a runner up!

 

Received my Seachem samples today. They definitely are a very dark grey instead of black, which is great. There's barely any color difference between the Flourite Black Sand and the Onyx Sand, but I notice the Onyx is more gravely whereas the Flourite Black is a very fine sand. I think the Flourite Black is the winner! Thanks for all of the help everyone!

(Onyx is on the left, Flourite is on the right.)

 

Thanks for the update. Might have to use that when I get around to my 75. Can't wait to see it in that new Odyssea tank. Grats!