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I use this for most of my builds, works great, grows most plants well (just needs root tabs). Not sharp, like some rumors suggest, just very dense. Safe for corydoras and spiny eels.

DO NOT ! rinse sand inside a sink or tub !!!!!!!!! the silt will fill the first P trap it come to and you will be spending big $ on a plumber ! it may not completely clog the P trap immediately , but do it once and that trap is smaller in diameter. just a heads up to anybody reading this. EDIT : guess i should have watched further before commenting ............................

Thanks for the tip on this option Chris. Your little Fry is getting so big and she’s adorable!! The entertainment center is the dream man.

I've been using his sand in all my tanks for years now, it is awesome stuff and super cheap! Very little rinsing needed which is nice!

Bro. Great work. Nice to see your channel growing.

I switched by 30 from gravel to black sand a few years ago. Definitely made the colors pop on my fish plus the live plants (an assortment of Vals) grow like weeds in it. (being in Michigan, it reminds me of dune grass). Although I bought my sand from a regional chain called Family Farm and Home. Forget the brand name. TSC was out of stock at the time-and I try to avoid Menards like the plague.

I love blasting sand! I used it in my tanks years ago before Tractor Supply came to our area. I bought it in bulk from a sand blasting company. If you do this make sure you get 20/40 grit. It's the same as the medium grade from Tractor Supply. I'm working on getting back into the hobby and have two bags from Tractor Supply waiting to go into my 55 gallon. I love how black sand makes all the colors pop in the tank.

Headed to tractor supply now to get the blasting sand! $11.29 for 50 lbs 🙌🏿 getting a few bags to change the substrate on both of my 125 gals and a 55 gal. All my other aquariums have black gravel. Definitely appreciate this video

Thanks so much for the info! I was torn how much “aquarium” sand was. And pool filter sand is just too cloudy!

I absolutely love and enjoy your videos, Thank You! I do have a question- (I've been using Black Diamond for years and love it!) The question is- i setup a 150 gallon tank and plan on having 6-8 geophagus Tapajos... in your opinion, is the Slag too sharp and large as apposed to regular sand? Being earth eaters, I don't want to damage the geos... Thanks, Bud

What’s good Chris quick question is blast sand good for aquarium with sumps ?? I have a short video of my aquarium. And if u need to get sand out ur drain use a wet vac just make sure the hose is seal with a rag when inside the drain

I'm a big fan of this stuff. I panicked a bit when I started to get oil residue on my rocks even after a thorough rinse, but it went away after a few water changes. Rinsed mine in a kiddie pool during summer.

Perfect timing. literally. I’m about to get some of that sand because aquarium sand is garbage and over priced.

I was wondering what type of plants you used because i’ve never had success with plants in fine granule substrate. Also could you please let me know if you supply fertilizers or root tabs? I hope you’ll reply as I’m a big fan, keep up the great work!

Loved your video, I was just wondering if you 2 years later are still using Black Diamond sand or have had a change of mind about it?

Great video! I’m just about to fill my 75 gallon planted tank with Black Diamond Blasting Sand. It’s made here in Minnesota, and if you check the manufacturer website you can find other suppliers besides tractor supply. I live in Minneapolis and am getting it from a blasting supplier here rather than driving north. Best part is they sell 80lb bags for $12 👌

@birish21

2 жыл бұрын

How much did you need to fill your 75G?

Nice cost effective option... cleaning sand is part of fish keeping hobby👍

hey chris i am a huge fan of yours and ruby videos

Got to love the Minnesota winters! I'm in the Brainard area and can't find any fish stores besides the big box, do you know of any?

Thanks for the tip man. I love a good deal.

I'm using some coarse garnet sand in my 40 breeder that was meant for use in underbed filters, similar to pool filters I guess but its not as fine as pool filter sand. plus the color looks way better.

Question 1, does tractor supply have white or tan blasting sand? Question 2, as far as your entertainment center why not put a 55 gallon on the bottom middle instead of 2-20s?

@carlheller6648

3 жыл бұрын

They don't its only black, if you want tan or white go with pool filter sand or all purpose sand at home depot

@corrosive72

3 жыл бұрын

In Canada we can get it in white

i used pool filter sand and some actual bacteria added crap from the aquarium shop. the silica in the pool sand would make my tank always cloudy. i tried everything to clear it up as everyone said i was crazy but when i changed back to gravel it was clear in a few days. something to take in consideration as well is that some sands with high silica in it will not only cause cloudy water but if you get brown algae it will keep feeding it.

I bought it at TSC. I rinsed it in buckets by just sticking a garden hose into the bottom of the bucket and putting a small rock under the bucket to keep it at a SLIGHT slant then let it run for about 10 minutes. Clean as a whistle! Easy peasy! I love this stuff!!!!!!!!!! (I'm lucky enough to have 3 TSC's within 20 miles of my house. I had to go to all 3 because I have a 125 gallon tank and each store only had 3 bags! I saw yours had a whole pallet!!!!! DAYUM!!!!) BTW, your build looks FANTASTIC!!!!!

@hmongkieyaaj1491

Жыл бұрын

How many bags did you need?

@plushpossum

Жыл бұрын

@@hmongkieyaaj1491 I I worded it wrong!! Sorry! Each store had ONE bag and I needed 3. I've actually added one bag since then.

Great video brother

I have this type of sand (i think) from an old fish tank and i want to use it on my turtle tank. They are 7 years old red eared and yellow belly slider but i don't know if it's safe for them. I've seen other people use it with turtles but I've read that anything that could fit in their mouth they could eat it and even die from that. So should i put it or not? Last summer i tried to add a little bit just to see their reactions. The red eared didn't seem to care but the yellow belly at first tried to eat it until it realised it's not food and gave up.

Do you guys recommend this sand for an electric blue Acara? I know they like to dig around. I wanna try and put plants in it.

Ty I always go to the garden center for my gravel too

👍 Chris im gonna get some for my bichirs been looking for a black or gray for good price cant beat that

I've used BDBS (cooper slag) in several tanks. If you run your hand through it you'll quickly discover it is more abrasive than aquarium sand, but my corydoras have been fine on it. I am actually moving to PetSmart black sand in my 20 gallon because I don't like the lighter colored pieces in the BDBS. Saved my pennies and PetSmart reward points to get it.

the blasting sand is great !

LOVE the entertainment center! So jealous 😩

@Twitchdepad42

3 жыл бұрын

You're the man. Thanks for the help! Can I send you the saving you helped me get as thank you?

cool set up

I used this black sand last week. I pre rinsed it thoroughly and I still have little gold flakes floating at the top of my tank. I'm using a brand new FX4 canister. Is that normal for using this sand?

It can be argued that pool filter sand looks much better. It really just depends on what kind of tank you are setting up. Both are great. When I set up a natural style tank, pool filter sand is preferred. I know there are black sand beaches somewhere, but they aren't anywhere around me and none of our lakes, rivers, or creeks have black sand around here either.

Good choice! I use it in a 75 and two 125g aquariums. Take the time to rinse it well! Good video thanks!

@jeremyblackwater439

4 ай бұрын

How many bags for the 75

@brianmizway9324

4 ай бұрын

​@jeremyblackwater439 gravel is about 1 lb per gallon. I have a 75g that I will probably switch to this stuff also and I will start with the same ratio and see how it looks.

Can you use this on top of the organic potting soil? Thank you!

Hey how many bangs of Black Diamond 50 lb bags To fill a 75 gallon Aquarium ?

Since cichlids will eat some sand for digestion would this still be safe for them?

Now while at tractor supply pick up the safetsorb in the oil dry section. That is the cheapest and great for plants. I have been using black Diamond and safetsorb for years. Just remember to pre load the safetsorb with fertilizers. Otherwise it will make di water out of your tank. Great video and yes people corys do just fine on Black Diamond!

@Goldiibug

3 жыл бұрын

My plan is to mix the Safe-T-Sorb with organic soil and cap it with the blasting sand. Will this be enough to preload the Safe-T-Sorb?

@TheChubbyGuppy

3 жыл бұрын

@@Goldiibug I would soak it with something like easygreen or other all purpose fert. Soak it for a couple days and then rinse. But with soil it should be ok. May take a little longer to stabilize.

I use it with crushed coral & it does WONDERS for the plants if you go with the courses BDPS they have, it does even better the BIGGER GRIT is the better it helps your plant's.

Another great option if you don't want black is Lapis Luster sand from home depot! It's a natural beach colored sand, and the price point close to BDBS. I use both, and even mix them in some tanks to lighten up the colors on some fish that will stay too dark over all black sand.

@onlywei

3 жыл бұрын

What’s the granule size? I can’t seem to find that sand on the Home Depot website.

I subscribe as soon I hear you from MN 😂 I will check more of your material later on

I've always wanted to set up a fish tank below my tv but I'm worried water evaporation may mess up the TV over time. What do you think?

@randyhoffman7374

3 жыл бұрын

@Dani Masterson lids don't stop water evaporation

Love the entertainment center.

I went to tractor supply and the black bag does not say coal but it says slag, Is this what what you're using because the guy at tractor supply scan the one that said slag on it and we want you to counter and he ran it and that same number come up with the picture of the same thing except it's says coal on it but like he told me he don't know if they got shipped the wrong stuff so we went on a few different vendor website and different tractor supplies and they all say slag. The problem with that when we picked up the bag where all the bags were some of the media overtime has gone through and we smashed our hand on it and pick it up and it looks shiny like metal? Is this what y'all are using?

Your Entertainment Center Looks Amazeing

I want to come over and watch a movie when you get fish in those tanks....

Just a heads up, some fish can see IR from remotes and can get spooked. As for the sand, yup. I've done this with aquariums in the past and it works well.

@cameron6740

2 жыл бұрын

Can you tell me the name of the store?

Hey I have a question I have a fish that was given to me an the guy said it was a texas cichlid but it doesn’t look like my texas cichlid at all is there a way I can send u a picture an u can tell me what it is

Great vids i enjoy all of them, i will also sub to your plant channel great stuff i live in vegas and all my house plants die maybe i will learn something on those vids. I just got a 55 gallon tank and i want to put in some nice substrate maybe this stuff and also some live plants.. thanks

Cute kid... I bought mine today at tractor supply.. And I was damn worried I thought I bought the wrong grain because it was smaller.. But nope.. This is an amazing substrate! O and Lowes buckets are better. They last longer.

being smaller and denser doesnt suffocate the plants?

I switched from fluorite to blasting sand, haven't looked back looks way better, so much cheaper and my fish are still healthy as can be

@jl644

2 жыл бұрын

My corys love this substrate

Wish I could get it that easy in the uk

BD Blasting sand is coal slag not actually sand. I use it in most my tanks, the only thing I don't is my Ray's. Its sharper than normal sand causes irritation but Chiclids for the most part.

Could I use black diamond blasting sand for turtle tank?

Rural King sells it too.

My local tractor supply carry’s that black diamond blasting sand in the black label BUT I had to read it carefully as it was gray slag so read label’s carefully.

@PalmerAquatics

Жыл бұрын

I have it in all my tanks. No issues

Remember to blast em Chris !!!!

Is it safe for axolotls?

I use it its great

Thank you!!! Great video!!! 👊🏼🖤Does anybody know if it could raise phosphate in the freshwater? A little raise on ph doesn’t bother, my tanks actually need a little raise on ph, but O had problems with phosphate using black sand before. Thanks everyone !

I’ve used this sand for years. You don’t need to rinse it.

Blasting sand aka copper slag i Personally use our recycled glass blasting sand for my fish tank

It depends on what type brand of aquarium sand you use ..personally I've used pool filter sand and aquarium sand and hands down aquarium sand looks ALOT better !!!!!!!!

Excel video sir.

Just fill half a 5 gallon bucket with the sand, get a hose and a clamp. Clamp the hose to the inside of the bucket and turn the water on.. let it rinse it self while moving your hand around until the water is clean.. giving it is not -20 outside 😆 👍

I have bought the same sand from Tractor Supply company. I had to stop using it because I noticed any bottom dwelling fish eventually developed irritations and then sores from the constant contact of this sand. The sharp edges DO affect the fish. If you want a cheap substrate buy play sand. The granules are rounded making it safe for eels, catfish whiskers and any parts of fish that come in constant contact with the substrate. Even though it's cheaper make sure you don't purchase sharp sand which is used as a base for laying brick because it has the same issue as blasting sand. The black color of blasting sand looks amazing in tanks but you are keeping your fish on a substrate that amounts to sandpaper. Take a step back and think about it. Blasting sand is not made for aquariums, nor is it marketed as aquarium safe. it is designed to sand imperfections off of metal. Fish's skin is not as tough as human skin. Any money you might save you will more than spend on fish medications when they develop ulcers. It's just not worth putting fish through that just to save twenty bucks

@scottdoes6904

3 жыл бұрын

I spend about $29 per bag of black sand at Petco or PetSmart

@scottdoes6904

3 жыл бұрын

Having kept multiple tanks for many years I sympathize with efforts to lower the cost. I appreciate the video's enthusiasm for sharing cost-saving ideals. TSC sand might possibly work out just fine for some fish. There is however a potential downside that I have experienced. I would feel bad if someone else ended up with the same outcome and I failed to give a warning. I'm glad that more people are keeping fish but it can be rather expensive. The Tank & Equipment always ends up costing a lot more than the animal itself. Sometimes trying to save a few bucks up front can end up costing you more later.

Telling people they are idiots if they buy aquarium sand only makes you look like the idiot. Most people that buy sand from aquarium stores do so because they want a specific look, not because of rinsing. I'm a pensioner that's had some 500+ aquariums & used every substrate you can imagine. I know plenty of cheap options for sand but I put $140aus of aquarium store bought sand in my latest tanganyika tank. Why? Because I wanted a specific look. It might also occur to you that there is more to the world than just the USA. Most countries don't have any of these stores & they certainly don't have that specific type of sand. You've got a lot to learn about how to relate to & talk to your audience.

@PalmerAquatics

3 жыл бұрын

Take a deep breath and calm yourself. People know I didn’t mean it like that

@gqwarrior6694

3 жыл бұрын

@@PalmerAquatics & just like that, your arrogance & lack of responsibility is on full display. Like I said, you've got a lot to learn.

The down side to the blasting sand is it’s not solid black

Anyone from Australia use blasting sand? Would love to know what is similar in Aussie.

@Goldiibug

3 жыл бұрын

I'm in the states but another name it is known by is Black Coal Slag. People use it for sand blasting all the time so hopefully you'll be able to find some down under.

I have

Try having your aquarium filled half way with water. Now take a 2-3 liter empty plastic soda bottle and fill it half way separately with water. Now put desired amount of sand into soda. Bottle without filling past water line. Put soda bottle in tank and dunk, allow air bubbles to enter soda bottle, then quickly flip bottle upside down and watch as aquarium sand falls out, and dust, dirt, debris rises in soda bottle and stays in it. When sand empties from soda bottle, create a seal with your palm over soda bottle neck.. repeat, repeat, repeat... no need to rinse sand ever again

@vasili1207

10 ай бұрын

no thats dumb and takes forever

How much TV do you actually watch. With those tanks, I'd be watching them. Instead of switching channels, look at a different tank.

The reason why that stuff is so cheap is it is a recycled material which is made from burnt coal from the boilers in coal burning plants.

Why not use the fine version? Lol I already hate my life so Im not too perturbed by a finer sand

So many things wrong with this sand. Only positives are it's cheap and its "black".

Hey where's 420 fish girl, russian dude already showed us this with the sand.. HA

@PalmerAquatics

3 жыл бұрын

The people didn’t like the Russian dude lmao

@tinkerton7856

3 жыл бұрын

@@PalmerAquatics yeah that dude was lame HA

I'm Indian Blasting sand ₹

Can I use black diamond sand as a cap over dirt substrate