I want to pair these 2 together in my 65 gal tank. Have you guys used either of these and how were they
Posted by Different-Drop1219
12 Comments
MsShuggah on
Both great. I recommend putting the bio-stratum in mesh bags to stop it from dirtying your gravel. The plants can still use it.
Dharmic_Aquatics on
Oh wow I just made the mistake of adding the Aqua Natural Diamond Black sand to my 40 gallon. It’s the worst sand I’ve ever used. I’m not even sure it’s sand, it has the texture of broken beer bottles, I think it’s literally just crushed glass or something. It’s also not black, it’s like yellow/green.
The bio-stratum substrate is great though!
devildocjames on
Looks like it should be great! I still have a bag that I’ve yet to add to my tank.
Sage0fThe6Paths on
The diamond black sand is a little annoying to vacuum as it gets sucked up easier than fish poop lol. I have it on two tanks. It gets better overtime as the lighter sand usually gets siphoned out and the heavier stuff remains.
Also make sure u rinse the black diamond sand a LOT before u put it in the tank. Like keep rinsing in a bucket until the water runs clear. It creates a dust bowl in ur tank otherwise.
The biostratum i would not rinse as it is very delicate and rinsing it will break them and create muddy water.
whistlepig4life on
So I love the Fluval stuff. But it’s price and benefits on a large tank? Ugh.
Better off just getting cheap plain old pea gravel.
Educational_Chip_554 on
Hard to clean
donzorleone on
Aqua natural is a great brand, I still rinse it though.
Keeperofthedarkcrypt on
If you’re gonna get bio-stratum and don’t have a heavy bio-load I recommend tossing some root tabs on the very bottom to kick start things. I’m having issues with the bio-stratum not containing enough nitrogen. Might not be a huge problem for you though if your tank isn’t super densely planted.
Dude-with-hat on
Biostratum topped with the other sand
JetoCalihan on
I’ve used both. The sand is excellent, clean and a great dirt cap. Fluval is pretty meh. The soil is mostly binding agents and isn’t very nutritious for the plants (the only thing I’ve ever found that loves it is Monte Carlo growing out of water). If you want to use it as small black rocks it should work, but if you plan on layering them the sand is going to slowly fillter down into the fluval layer, and you might as well use cheaper organic potting soil over it.
WhiteStar174 on
Sounds great! If you have tractor supply this is pretty cheap and it’s great, just give it a rinse, or just give it a few days during cycling to clear
I had black diamond blasting sand in my 75 gallon before I moved from Texas to Pennsylvania. It looks nice, but it’s is the dirtiest shit ever. Seriously. You can’t rinse it enough. Also, as others have said, you can’t ever really properly vacuum the substrate because it will get sucked up with the mulm/detritus
Edit: If you DO end up going with it, go to your local Tractor Supply Co and get a big bag there. It’s much cheaper than the “aquarium” black diamond sand, and it’s essentially the same.
12 Comments
Both great. I recommend putting the bio-stratum in mesh bags to stop it from dirtying your gravel. The plants can still use it.
Oh wow I just made the mistake of adding the Aqua Natural Diamond Black sand to my 40 gallon. It’s the worst sand I’ve ever used. I’m not even sure it’s sand, it has the texture of broken beer bottles, I think it’s literally just crushed glass or something. It’s also not black, it’s like yellow/green.
The bio-stratum substrate is great though!
Looks like it should be great! I still have a bag that I’ve yet to add to my tank.
The diamond black sand is a little annoying to vacuum as it gets sucked up easier than fish poop lol. I have it on two tanks. It gets better overtime as the lighter sand usually gets siphoned out and the heavier stuff remains.
Also make sure u rinse the black diamond sand a LOT before u put it in the tank. Like keep rinsing in a bucket until the water runs clear. It creates a dust bowl in ur tank otherwise.
The biostratum i would not rinse as it is very delicate and rinsing it will break them and create muddy water.
So I love the Fluval stuff. But it’s price and benefits on a large tank? Ugh.
Better off just getting cheap plain old pea gravel.
Hard to clean
Aqua natural is a great brand, I still rinse it though.
If you’re gonna get bio-stratum and don’t have a heavy bio-load I recommend tossing some root tabs on the very bottom to kick start things. I’m having issues with the bio-stratum not containing enough nitrogen. Might not be a huge problem for you though if your tank isn’t super densely planted.
Biostratum topped with the other sand
I’ve used both. The sand is excellent, clean and a great dirt cap. Fluval is pretty meh. The soil is mostly binding agents and isn’t very nutritious for the plants (the only thing I’ve ever found that loves it is Monte Carlo growing out of water). If you want to use it as small black rocks it should work, but if you plan on layering them the sand is going to slowly fillter down into the fluval layer, and you might as well use cheaper organic potting soil over it.
Sounds great! If you have tractor supply this is pretty cheap and it’s great, just give it a rinse, or just give it a few days during cycling to clear
https://preview.redd.it/0xi88svrqvqe1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=25eed39ee86c44e1a6d98c94abf7388d174c9e79
I had black diamond blasting sand in my 75 gallon before I moved from Texas to Pennsylvania. It looks nice, but it’s is the dirtiest shit ever. Seriously. You can’t rinse it enough. Also, as others have said, you can’t ever really properly vacuum the substrate because it will get sucked up with the mulm/detritus
Edit: If you DO end up going with it, go to your local Tractor Supply Co and get a big bag there. It’s much cheaper than the “aquarium” black diamond sand, and it’s essentially the same.