Safe Sand

[Goldibug]

I love using black sand as I believe it makes everything in a tank stand out. I was thinking of using black coal slag for my axolotls as it looks exactly like this: black aquarium sand and I've kept it in my aquariums for over a year with sensitive bottom feeders and large mystery snails. From the description I've heard of an axolotls skin it sounds very similar to that of a snails to me. What do you think? I'm also curious to hear what colors of substrate you think make the axolotl's colors stand out the best.

 

[allied123]

I don't know how to link posts but there was a guy on here called cousinlarry who was posting about his axolotl and he posted in the gallery about his daughter feeding the axolotl and in the sick lotl thread "did sand kill my axolotl?" and as soon as he got this exact sand in his tank his axolotl died right afterwards....

Don't get me wrong I love the black sand and was actually looking at this sand myself but no one responded to his "did sand kill my axolotl" post giving some other reason for the sudden death of his lotl and that sand was the only thing that changed if someone had another black sand suggestion (not tahitan moon sand) I would take it as it looked like that sand was the only thing that changed in his tank

Again I don't know if that sand was/was not the cause of CousinLarry's axolotl but the day after he put it in the axolotl died, I would just be very upset if I didn't warn you after seeing that post. If you do get it and it does work out please tell me though cause as I said I was looking at the same sand! Best of luck!

 

[Lyssa]

I also was wondering about black sand... if anyone had like the exact brand or know of a store that sells a kind that is safe.. that would be awesome!

 

[RupertxGiles]

I have black sand in my 40 gallon , Petco brand. It doesnt cloud the water at all and i have probably had it in there about 6 months and no issues. Just be sure to use a thin layer as too thick of a sand bottom can cause bacteria to build up and toxic gas pockets.

 

[Lyssa]

Oh awesome thank you so much, I'll have to check it out. So by petco brand you just mean in the aquatic area, most likely the only black sand there?

 

[RupertxGiles]

Oh awesome thank you so much, I'll have to check it out. So by petco brand you just mean in the aquatic area, most likely the only black sand there?

They sell them im 5 lb bags. I bought 4 of them for my 40

 

[Lyssa]

Yay! How exciting! I will probably go tomorrow.. so I can have a purty tank
Thanks again!

 

[RupertxGiles]

Heres a peek at my tank

 

[Binditheaxolotl]

Heres a peek at my tank

View attachment 35332

How did that sand work out for your lotl? Looking at getting the same thing. Is it the Imagitarium brand?