White or black sand in salter water tank?

Question

I have a salter water tank already established. The only thing I had green slimy alage always growing on my crushed white coral sand....today I decided to remove all of the sandy coral and buy some new stuff....i read that white rocks reflect light and produces alage faster, should I buy black sand for the bottom of my tank this time? Anyone know the difference?

Answer 1

You will do your tank a great deal of harm by removing the substrate. The problem with the slime algae can be corrected with an increase in water flow (wavemaker). Or something that will stir up to sand daily. I have a horseshoe crab that eats any shrimp that fall to the bottom and he spends a lot of time rifling through the crushed aragonite in my tank. It keeps the stuff looking like new and helps promote nitrifying bacteria. Also, change your light if it is more then six months old. Old lights promote slime growth.

Answer 2

No difference. I've got black sand in mine w/ bleached coral for decor and it looks great. But none of this is going to take care of your algae problems.
The algae is coming from an excess of light and food for it in your water column. You can try less light, more water changes, or chemical phosphate and silicate removers to starve it out. But the best way I've found to keep this stuff in check is to hit one of the many mail order sites out there, such as Aquacon.com or Foster and Smiths and order yourself a nice 'clean up crew'.
This will consist of an array of fascinating little critters that will eat the algae and keep it in check. It's the only way to go! They all over sell how many of these things it takes to keep you tank clean. I've got like the 75 gallon package cleaning a 155 tank. The turbo snails are multiplying in my tank. Depending on the size of your tank this is going to run you $50 to $120 bucks.

Answer 3

It mainly depends on the fish. If the fishes u have mainly live in dark in their natural habitat then black sand. vice versa. but it doesnt really matter. u can have black sand and have a light to keep it bright. But i would go with black. white is too common.

Answer 4

TRUST ME ON THIS ONE ,USE WHITE SAND /BLACK SAND IS NOT NATURAL PURE SAND,AT LEAST YOU CAN SEE THE ALGY ON THE WHITE SAND.