{"product_id":"arag-alive-hawaiian-black-20lb-9-072kg","title":"Arag-Alive Hawaiian Black 20lb (9.072kg)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeep black sand that makes fish colour and coral pop.\u003c\/strong\u003e CaribSea Arag-Alive Hawaiian Black is a biologically active black aragonite reef sand supplied damp in a 20 lb (9.072 kg) bag, with a grain size of 0.25 to 3.5 mm. It is the finest of CaribSea's three live grades we stock, which is what gives the bed its smooth, dark, even look. Like every aragonite substrate it raises pH and carbonate hardness, so it belongs in marine, reef and African cichlid tanks rather than planted or soft-water ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e0.25 to 3.5 mm fine grain\u003c\/strong\u003e - fine enough for sand-sifting fish to work through, and fine enough to read as a solid dark surface rather than dark gravel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLive bacteria supplied in the bag\u003c\/strong\u003e - the sand arrives damp and biologically active, so a new bed starts processing ammonia sooner than dry sand would.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo rinsing\u003c\/strong\u003e - CaribSea's instruction is to tip the bag straight into the tank. Rinsing washes out the bacteria you paid for.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDark background for colour\u003c\/strong\u003e - fish that pale over a light substrate generally hold deeper colour over a dark one, and coral fluorescence reads more strongly against black.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuffers pH and alkalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e - it is aragonite, so it adds carbonate rather than consuming it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClears quickly\u003c\/strong\u003e - CaribSea states a properly filled tank begins clearing within hours and is completely clear in 24 to 48 hours.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHawaiian Black is the lightest of the three live grades at 80 lb per cubic foot (1.28 kg per litre of bed), so a given depth costs fewer kilograms than the same depth in Bimini Pink. The table gives the weight and the number of 9.072 kg bags for common Australian tank footprints.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTank footprint\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e2.5 cm bed\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e5 cm bed\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e7.5 cm bed\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 x 30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.8 kg - 1 bag\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11.5 kg - 2 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e17.3 kg - 2 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e90 x 38 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11.0 kg - 2 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e21.9 kg - 3 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e32.9 kg - 4 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 x 45 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e17.3 kg - 2 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e34.6 kg - 4 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e51.9 kg - 6 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 x 60 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e28.8 kg - 4 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e57.7 kg - 7 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e86.5 kg - 10 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e180 x 60 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e34.6 kg - 4 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e69.2 kg - 8 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e103.8 kg - 12 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow these figures are worked out\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaribSea publishes a bulk density for every substrate. Bed volume is the tank footprint multiplied by the depth you want, and the weight is that volume multiplied by the density. Bag counts are rounded up to the next whole bag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo practical adjustments. Rockwork sitting on the glass displaces sand, so a heavily aquascaped tank needs a little less than the table says. A bed that slopes from front to back needs the average depth, not the deepest point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGrain size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.25 to 3.5 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBag weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 lb (9.072 kg)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBulk density\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80 lb per cubic foot (1.28 kg per litre)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBed volume per bag\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 7.1 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMaterial\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAragonite, supplied damp and biologically active\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eEffect on water\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRaises pH and carbonate hardness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRinsing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot required, and not recommended\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarine and reef; also hard, alkaline African cichlid tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eClearing time\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBegins clearing within hours, clear in 24 to 48 hours\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSupplier code\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCS0797\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich CaribSea reef sand should I choose?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGrade\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGrain size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBag\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBacteria in the bag\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBest for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/arag-alive-bimini-pink-20lb-9-072kg\"\u003eArag-Alive Bimini Pink\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.5 to 5.0 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9.072 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMixed pink bed with visible shell fragments; holds position under moderate to strong flow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/arag-alive-hawaiian-black-20lb-9-072kg\"\u003eArag-Alive Hawaiian Black\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.25 to 3.5 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9.072 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDark contrast beds; the finest of the three live grades\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/arag-alive-natural-reef-16lb-7-257kg\"\u003eArag-Alive Natural Reef\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3.0 to 5.5 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.257 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoarse gravel grade for high-flow zones and beds under rockwork\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/aragamax-select-30lb-13-63kg\"\u003eAragaMax Select\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.5 to 1.0 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13.63 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo, dry sand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFine uniform oolitic bed, lowest cost per kilogram\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe also stock CaribSea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink and Arag-Alive Special Grade Reef if none of the four above is the grain size you are after.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving with a black sand bed\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo things are worth knowing before you commit. Detritus, uneaten food and dislodged coralline flakes are all pale, and they show against black in a way they never do against a pink or natural bed. The bed looks dirtier at the same actual cleanliness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second is flow. At 1.28 kg per litre this is the lightest grade of the four on this page, and the grain starts at 0.25 mm. A powerhead pointed at the substrate will scour it more readily than it would scour Bimini Pink. Aim flow across the bed, not into it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e marine fish-only and reef aquariums where you want maximum contrast; tanks with sand-sifting gobies, wrasses or jawfish that need a fine grain; hard, alkaline African cichlid tanks; refugium beds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e planted freshwater tanks, soft-water community aquariums, and blackwater setups - aragonite will raise pH and carbonate hardness and there is no way to stop it. It is also the wrong choice directly under a downward-facing powerhead, where the fine fraction will be excavated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLight siphoning of the top layer at water changes keeps the pale detritus that shows up against black under control. A turkey baster used to puff detritus off the surface before a water change works better than dragging a gravel vacuum through the bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeds over about 5 cm deep are best left undisturbed below the surface. The sand itself does not need replacing on any schedule.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/life-rock-shapes-20lb-9kg\"\u003eCaribSea Life Rock Shapes\u003c\/a\u003e - pale aquascaping rock, which is the contrast black sand is bought for.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/arag-alive-bimini-pink-20lb-9-072kg\"\u003eCaribSea Arag-Alive Bimini Pink\u003c\/a\u003e - the coarser alternative if scouring is a concern in your tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-sea-salts-10-kg-300-ltr-bag\"\u003eRed Sea Salt 10 kg\u003c\/a\u003e - for mixing the water that goes in over the bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaribSea does not publish a warranty term for its substrates. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law apply regardless of that, and are not limited by anything the manufacturer does or does not offer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach bag weighs 9.072 kg. A 150 x 60 cm tank at 5 cm depth is seven bags, a little over 63 kg, so check the freight total before ordering a full bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes black sand show dirt more than light sand?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Detritus, uneaten food and shed coralline flakes are pale and stand out against a black bed. The bed is not dirtier than a light one at the same maintenance level, but it reads that way, so most people siphon the surface more often.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs Hawaiian Black fine enough for a sand-sifting goby?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The grain runs from 0.25 mm, which is fine enough for sifting gobies and wrasses to pick up and pass through their gills. The coarser 3.5 mm fraction is a small part of the mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo I rinse it first?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. CaribSea's instruction for all Arag-Alive sands is to place the contents straight into the aquarium. Rinsing removes the live bacteria and defeats the purpose of buying a live sand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs the black colour natural or a coating?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArag-Alive Hawaiian Black is supplied as a black aragonite substrate, not a coated or painted one, so there is no coating to chip off individual grains over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I mix Hawaiian Black with a lighter CaribSea sand?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can, and the grades are chemically the same aragonite. Be aware that flow gradually sorts mixed grades by weight and grain size, so a deliberate two-tone bed usually ends up blended after a few months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow deep should I go?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2.5 to 5 cm is the usual shallow bed and is straightforward to maintain. Beds of 7.5 cm and deeper are a deliberate denitrification strategy and should be left undisturbed once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"CaribSea","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55293348020515,"sku":"CS0797","price":79.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/cs0797_1725237306_thumb_5a9fde3f-5a81-4043-9559-9f86a94781fb.png?v=1783216136","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/arag-alive-hawaiian-black-20lb-9-072kg","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}