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Top Fin Black Sand or CaribSea Sunset Gold?

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18K views 11 replies 7 participants last post by  ricktfoster  
#1 ·
I have a 75 gallon planted tank. And I want to switch to either one of these but I just can’t make a decision on what to go with. I used to have Sunset Gold in my own 60 gallon and I loved it. I knew when I upgraded to my 75 I wanted to go with pure black sand so I bought Seachem Black Sand and I hated it. It was messy and grey, not black. I’ve seen picture of the pure black I I like how it makes all the colors pop. But I like the natural look of the sunset gold too.

What would you go with? If you have either one of these please she pics below.

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#6 ·
I don't sell or carry Top Fin, but I've gotten a lot of their products in my shop to look at and hope to repair. With any other filter brand, it's almost always as simple as replacing (or even cleaning) the impeller. Not Top Fin. I've had the impellers blow out and be impossible to remove, multiple motors die that the customer claimed didn't run dry, and more than a couple of heaters that failed in the "on" position. Oh, and one that shocked me when I went to test it. I get So many Aqua Clears, Marinelands, Aqueons and Tetras in my hands and can't recall these problems ever happening with those brands. At this point I can't presume it's just dumb luck.
 
#7 ·
I have black eco complete in tank right now. I won't be doing a black substrate again. It never looks natural to my eye. I would say always go natural. If you want to try something different then pick a different natural color. Lots of reds, whites, and even some light grays are natural.
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have EcoComplete now and I hate it. I regret ever buying it.. it’s ugly, doesn’t look natural and it’s always got algae growing it.... plus I’m always picking java moss off of it.


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Thats an easy choice for me, I do not like black as a substrate. Very unnatural to my taste.



I have Sunset Gold in one of my 30 gallon tanks. Here is a picture:



Image


Beautiful! Thank you for sharing


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#12 ·
CaribSea Sand definitely looks good, I like their peace river gravel as well but it's expensive. I suggest you look for Cemex Lapis Lustre #3 mesh sand. This stuff should sell for about 20 for 100lb bag. Thr sand is siffed, washed and dried.


Thanks! I’ll look into that one.


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