Some of that stuff is scattered about but Ive never found it to be a problem. Been using 20/40 for a few years in several different tanks

All with very happy cories

 

Look at those barbells on those cories clearly not suffering!

 

I've never found anything in any of the bags I have gotten

 

Thanks for the pics . Does some of that stuff come out when it is washed ? I guess I am just over protective...lol

 

Only what floats will come out in the rinse, dust mainly. And there's a lot of it so best to rinse it thoroughly.

 

Thanks for the comments so far . I may give it a try . There is a Tractor Supply about 3 miles from me .

 

20/40 grit for me as well.30/60 grit is finer.
I too saw the photo a couple year's ago.
Could have been just something that found it's way into that particular bag/batch or..staged .
I found a mouse on my whopper from Burger King,(not really) but would happily settle out of court, for free whopper's for life.

 

i have it in my 75g almost a year now with no problems, 20/40 grit from tractor supply. just make sure to rise it very well. i just rescaped my tank last week and here's what it looks like 1hr after a rescape

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and here is what it looks like when the tank is settled older photo

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What substrate you using under the black sand or are you using 100% only black sand

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

 

Count me in the good luck with bdbs column. I use 30/60 as it is whats available locally. I also have cory who are doing well in it.

 

I decided to try it , but , my TS is out of BDBS....:frown2: . Guess I will have to wait till next week .

 

Went to another TS and got a bag of 20/40 . Will start on the redo tomorrow , so here is a before pic......I decided to try it on my 10 gal fry/plant grow out tank first . If I like it I may do my 75 .

 

I presume these are safe, yeah? [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Diamond-Blasting-Abrasive-Misc/dp/B0000AXAUQ?ie=UTF8&keywords=black%20diamond%20sand&qid=1461454629&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: Black Diamond Blasting Abrasive [Misc.]: Home Improvement[/ame]

 

I presume these are safe, yeah? Amazon.com: Black Diamond Blasting Abrasive [Misc.]: Home Improvement

yes same thing i use but the 20/40 version which is bigger grain(this is what you will want), 30/60 is way to fine if you have sand sifters it will be everywhere because how light it is. i use the 30/60 in my sand blaster for soft metals because how small it is and it almosts breaks down to dust afterwards

 

I am not sure that is the same stuff , but shipping will be a killer . Try to find a Northern Tool or Tractor Supply locally .

 

So got the redo done . Took about 2 hours . I found nothing in the BDBS but the grit and some larger pieces that I just sifted out . It did take a lot of rinsing . Once in the tank it settled quickly in about 30 mins . It is almost crystal clear again now about 3 hours after done . I like the look and it is much easier to plant in . Thanks to all for helping with my concerns and giving me the confidence to try it . I recommend BDBS to all with planted tanks .
Here is a pic about an hour after finishing . The MTS and Ramshorns don't know what to do yet , but the fish love it....lol

 

I have 20/40 in my tanks, looking at keeping shell dwellers, would the 20/40 be too big for them to move around and make their homes?

 

nope,it's pretty small.I set up a tank with it as a cap over MGOCPM,rinsed it in a bucket while stirring it with my hands,didn't get any cuts,no foreign material either.

it did leave an oily looking residue that washed out with plain water on the bucket though.

 

Anyone reading this have a 75gal? How much did you use, and what depth did it come to?

Thanks

 

I originally put two bags in and it worked just fine. I didn't use any dirt just BDS. I later added a 1/4-1/2 bag more just to build my scape up a bit. I'd buy three if that's the only tank you have. If your dirting then 3 should be plenty. If you've got the extra dough and multiple tanks buy a fourth bag, you'll want it in more than just the 75 and it's not bad to have a bit extra just in case you wanna change things up.

 

Try this . I use the silica sand setting and it always gets me really close for the Black Diamond.....

Substrate Calculator

 

Try this . I use the silica sand setting and it always gets me really close for the Black Diamond.....

Substrate Calculator

Thanks!.... I think. Now I dread washing all this

 

Yea I have a standard 75 and it says 200lbs for 4 inch depth , but 4 bags @ $9 a bag no biggie . I just wash it in a bucket like some have said and I have read some use a pillow case to rinse it in . It doesn't take as long as you might think.....lol

 

Not to hijack but I have a tractor supply close by. They have the stuff in stock but they have a medium and a fine listed without any mention of the grits listed like you guys are showing.

Any correlation and does one do better than the other? I have used eco complete in the past, Ada aquasoil and one of those turf builder baked clay products (can't remember the name).

 

you want the medium.It'll have the size on the bag,IE: 20/40.

 

+1 to what MtAnimals said .

 

Is the fine too powdery to plant in? Or is it just a water clouding mess?

I wish I could get soilmaster select again. I had a 50lb bag around for awhile and used it up in some rose pots I made up a few years ago after I exited the hobby for a hiatus.

 

30/60 grit work's ,but is finer than 20/40 grit and the 20/40 grit hold's stem plant's in place better IMHO

 

Has anyone used this stuff with Dwarf shrimp? Neo's to be precise.
I was debating snagging a few bags for my new 20 longs (I got 8!) that need substrate for shrimp, while doing split builds with a portion dedicated to amazonia in each tank to help buffer.
Thought I'd ask on an existing post!

 

I have kept cherries and CRS (separate tanks) for over a year and a half with it. Couldn't afford anything else at the time, and even now, I would rather put money toward other things.