Ok, so I have an 8 gal tank already, but I want to upgrade to a 20H. I had black sand in my last tank and I liked it, but when I went to get sand the guy at the LFS said the black sand can leach copper in my tank. So, I was like no way and I bought his bulk sand which looks like crap. I’ve decided to scrape out the sand since I’m only in day one of my cycle and buy what I actually like. The question is does black sand leach copper into the tank, or is there some key words like aragonite sand to avoid any problems. Either way that stuff in my tank is going to go. Thanks for your help. Rob

I've heard of fake black sand leaching silica, but not copper.

And iron^ but I dunno if I have any sources lol.

CaribSea Hawaiian Black...6 months in and no problems.

Thanks for the fast response, but what is fake black sand? Is aragonite ok? Are there any brands that are safe bets?

Didn't see your post hayseed. thanks.

I have never used or have known anybody that has used black sand. However, I have read repeatedly that CaribSea Hawaiian black sand is the way to go. There were quite a few posts regarding the topic back when I was looking into it right here in this site. I'd look into that sand.

i used estes black. 2 years in and no problems

just use the normal stuff i kinda regretting getting my blacks sand. its not the metal particals on my magflot scratching my glass...its the way it looks with crap on it...

http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/GrayCoast.html

I don't think so.
There are many areas where you won't find anything but lava rock for miles and there are SPS reefs.
I'm suspicious and maybe I should do a tank with only lavarock to see what happens.
Iron won't do anything,
GFO= Granular Ferric Oxide or oxidized iron.

Natures Ocean black sand is full of iron filings.
And there are sand crystals which are magnetic too.

Miserable product.
Lawsuit material.

Iron will adhere to your Mag Float and scratch the crap out of your glass.
Ya, it will.

I used it in two tanks for about the same timefram. No issues. No leaching, no metal filings. Just good clean black sand.


I think there was one bad brand, or one bad batch, and what's happened is that the rumor mill has turned this into an "all black sand" issue. Apparently it's also changed from iron filings to copper.

I've got the carbisea black sand or whatever its called. Been 6 months or so no problems.

The bigger chunks are all turning purple with coralline though.

Thanks for all the help. I know who to trust these days.


My online peeps or at least the majority.

Be ready to chase pH. Black sand has not buffer in it.

it buffers, and ive had no issues using it for the past 2 years, would i use it again? i dunno.... the black sand look is starting to get old to me

OP... You'll learn that most LFS people are full of crap...

If it has copper in it, should it not burn green if you heat it in a nice hot flame?