I ALSO use the moonlight in a lot of tanks, AND LOVE IT, as it is very easy for planting directly into, and even acts as a great topper for Aquasoils if needed... but NOTE: I've found in my mudskipper (brackish water) tank, it seems to lay flat enough that algae forms layers on it, and like you said, you can't really gravel vac it easily, and it has become the bane of my existence! 😂 I have however started using the black Pet-CO sand, in some tanks (Imagitarium or something like that, is the brand) and the grain sizes appear to be smaller than the Top-Fin, but still large enough to vac, so I think I'm going to try the white version of it next for brackish! FYI... in case anyone has the same issue! 😉 Keep up the great work Joanna! (As always!) 🥰
I'm using white Top Fin sand in a 40g where I'm quarantining a sarasa comet goldfish and I love it! She's constantly sifting it and keeping it clean, and her white and red coloration looks great! I haven't liked it in other tanks, but it's great with goldfish. 🙂
Ha! I’ve not tried sand, or a light colored substrate yet, but will write this down for future consideration. Thanks for the suggestion, Joanna! I love knowing the pros and cons ahead of time, like, before I create a mind numbing disaster.
Hi Joanna 😊Thanks for covering what you don’t like as well as what you do like. It’s good to know ahead of time what we might run into if using the substrate. I’m a fan of the light color, but I’ve only used pool filter sand. I’ve had no problems with it. I like that it has a few other grain colors that are slightly scattered throughout it, which is slightly forgiving when there is a bit of algae or detritus on the sand. I’m sure overtime all the white sands do start to look a bit dingy though, right? Mine is definitely not as bright as it used to be, but I still like the way it looks. 😊
Hi Cheryl! I’m going to give it another try, I hear the quikrete (sp?) brand is good. The one we tried takes forever to clean. I like the thought of other colors mixed in. Currently just outside of Memphis and heading home today. Happy Friday! ☺️
@@thesmallscape Awesome! Continued safe travels home! I just checked my bag of sand in the garage. I think my brand is called “Tech Mix” from Menards. Wish I could show you a pic here. Do you remember my story from last winter of how the store staff at Menards had to search down a bag of sand and then go out to the outside storage to forklift down ONE bag for me? I still have not been able to use it, because I can’t figure out where to set up the tank! I’m sure the pool filter sand would be inside the store now for summer! 🤭🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
first off I must admit that I do not aquascape my tanks . I dirt them and cap them with sand throw some wood in a couple rocks and tons of plants . with that said I like to take 2 bags of pool filter sand and 1 bag of black diamond blasting sand and mix them together . this gives me a medium light colored sand that looks naturalish until the plants and mule cover it .
I like nature’s ocean “pink beach “ sand. It’s not really pink but if you’ve ever been to a “pink” beach that’s what to expect. Might have a bit of rose quartz in it but overall just quite white. It’s definitely not made for gravel vacuuming or high flow tanks but I find it easy to just vacuum the detritus right off the top. My mystery snails and Pygmy corydoras keep it turning over and shrimp seem to love it. Was a bit concerned about plants but with root tabs even dwarf hair grass is doing well in it. Overall enjoying to look. Really like hearing about everyone’s experiences with different substrates so keep up the good work. 👍
Saw this video at just the right time, I've been trying to pick out a white sand for my next tank! CaribSea Super Naturals came to mind since I also dislike the larger grains of the PetSmart and Petco brands, glad to know you've had a good experience with it
I use to use a medium orangey brown river sand they us to sell, but I have seen it in years I used it for years with great success. I used it in natural scapes with live plants. I wish it would make a come back.
I just bought 50 pounds of Quikcrete play sand. I think it was $5. But I have not used it yet. I’m just setting up my first tanks after being out of the hobby for nearly 20 years. I used to use pool filter sand.
I agree, the top fin white sand is the absolute worst. It used to have a pure white and fine grain, but changed to silicone and an off-white color that floats. I had to stop an aquascape because I couldn't find more of the pure white top fin sand 😩
I bought some sand that was a beautiful golden beige natural colored sand- then when I washed it wound up turning bright white, I guess the golden beige color in it was clay or something. I'm still always on the hunt for a natural beige looking coarse beige sand.
I got rid of my white rock/sand substrate. It wasn't sand but it was much smaller gravel that you generally see. It turned green with algae and even stiring it up, just always looked dirty. The black topfin sand is what I'm using now. Question! How do you clean the glass that last 1/2 inch above the substrate? I'm always ascared that my sponge is gonna pick up some sand and scratch the bajesus out of the glass, so it just stays nasty. I saw Victoria Lee Creates use a credit card (or something similar). That looked like it would work maybe but I haven't tried it yet.
Hiya Whip! Hope you love the black top fin- woohoo! Yes, larger white sand is the worst for me - yuck!! I clean that bottom area with a plastic razor blade - I find I get a better result than the credit card, especially if it’s been there a while. I also feel it’s easier to keep sand from scooting in there and scratching the glass too. 😃 Go get em!!
I tried it for the first time, and I really like the texture and look! However it’s kind of a disaster as far as my diy root tabs and planting in it. 😣 A lot of the beads from the fertilizer keep surfacing and they seem to be causing huge pockets of air. What’s your experience been and any advice? I just tore down and am in the process of rescaping. Not sure if I should even plant in it.
Hello! I use pool filter sand from Menards. Once I rinsed it forevs, it worked out great. But now, Im wondering if the fish would have shown better color on black. 🤦♀😂
Have you ever tried Super Naturals torpedo beach or crystal river sand? I was thinking of using it and wondering if anyone likes it? This will be my first aquarium, so I'm really nervous about choosing a sand/substrate! Thanks for your videos. I love watching them!
