Unipac Black Limpopo sand..

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Stephen
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Always pre-rinse sand before using it to remove the dust.
425L SeaBray Elite aquarium - Rio Mamoré (Bolivia) theme
4 x Cupid Cichlids, 14 x Cory caudimaculatus, 13 x Cory sterbai 52 x Reed Tetra, 4 x Honeycomb Bristlenose (L519)

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WinterRose73
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Thanks everyone, really helpful

The cabinet and tank surround will be white so a darker substrate could look quite effective... I think they've used dark in the one that's set up in the shop.

I still really like the look of the Maui sand I linked to... And Pro Shrimp said it would be fine for Cory's when I specifically asked...

What I don't want is a tank that looks dark and dismal 🤔. Especially as I'm crap with plants!!
'Take wasps,' Death continued. 'Wasps are made entirely from bastard. Whose grand design are they part of?'
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VikingMummy2015
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@Chadders definitely rinse it! And then rinse it again and again. It's not as mucky as some sands but you'll need to wash it before adding unless you like the cloudy look and a clogged up filter look!
I added some to my 10L bucket, ran it under the tap for ages, stirring it with my hand/arm for a good twenty to thirty minutes each bucket. My arm felt like it was falling off by the end of 20kg! But my tank was totally clear from the get go.
240L Fluval Roma with Oase 600 Biomaster: 1 German red bristlenose, 4 male cherry barbs, 6 standard rummynose, 3 golden rummynose tetra, 9 emperor tetra, 14 cardinal tetra, 2 hengeli rasbora, 3 nerite snails, 1 adult Sulawesi snail and multiple juveniles continually appearing.

Parameters: gH2, kH1, pH7.4 (tap).
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mikeyw64
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its deffo more grey, as for rinsing I didn't bother as I was doing a fishless cycle , just used kitchen roll to lift off anything that was floating on the surface after it had settled for a while and before turning the filters on.
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Stephen
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@WinterRose73
WinterRose73 wrote: Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:50 am I still really like the look of the Maui sand
You'll find the Unipac Maui sand too light, trust me. (see image below)
I would go with a more natural sand such as Unipac Samoa fine sand or for a contrast the Unipac Limpopo sand..
I use the Unipac Samoa fine sand in both my aquariums.

(click image to enlarge)
Image

All the best
425L SeaBray Elite aquarium - Rio Mamoré (Bolivia) theme
4 x Cupid Cichlids, 14 x Cory caudimaculatus, 13 x Cory sterbai 52 x Reed Tetra, 4 x Honeycomb Bristlenose (L519)

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Sixo
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VikingMummy2015 wrote: Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:44 am it's the unipac black limpopo I have in my big tank, mixed with Tropica soil.

Image. I like the mix, makes it look more natural. The sand is definitely grey than black.
Cherry Barbs looking awesome!

I found the black limpopo didn't need much rinsing.
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WinterRose73
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Stephen wrote: Sat Nov 21, 2020 17:01 pm @WinterRose73
WinterRose73 wrote: Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:50 am I still really like the look of the Maui sand
You'll find the Unipac Maui sand too light, trust me. (see image below)
I would go with a more natural sand such as Unipac Samoa fine sand or for a contrast the Unipac Limpopo sand..
I use the Unipac Samoa fine sand in both my aquariums.

(click image to enlarge)
Image

All the best
From the picture comparison there I quite like the colour of the Kivu. Not as dark as the Limpopo but still relatively dark...
'Take wasps,' Death continued. 'Wasps are made entirely from bastard. Whose grand design are they part of?'
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Stephen
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WinterRose73 wrote: Sat Nov 21, 2020 17:41 pm From the picture comparison there I quite like the colour of the Kivu. Not as dark as the Limpopo but still relatively dark...
The Kivu is still very light, I tried it once and removed it after a very short period.
I also tried the Unipac Nyasa sand but again it was too light.
I also tried the Unipac Fiji sand as the supplier was out of Samoa fine sand, I was looking for a top up, it looked similar but was in fact a lot lighter, again it was removed.
Unipac used to make a Senegal sand which is very nice (slightly darker than the Samoa sand) but no longer available.
425L SeaBray Elite aquarium - Rio Mamoré (Bolivia) theme
4 x Cupid Cichlids, 14 x Cory caudimaculatus, 13 x Cory sterbai 52 x Reed Tetra, 4 x Honeycomb Bristlenose (L519)

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Gingerlove05
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Mines actually black :D


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Its Caribsea Super naturals black, but I cant find it anywhere online. I get the impression they stopped doing it :-/
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WinterRose73
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Thinking about it, is it best to actually start with new substrate? or can I just transfer the sand from the existing tank (and top it up, as it won't be enough)?

I'm sure I've got the Unipac Fine Silver (cat on lap so can't check the bag in the cupboard).
'Take wasps,' Death continued. 'Wasps are made entirely from bastard. Whose grand design are they part of?'
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