Loaches Online Forum

I have a question for the group. I just got some Black Diamond medium grade black blasting sand as a substrate for freshwater shrimp. Does anyone have experience using this with loaches (specifically Pangio species)? I have heard reports that some blasting sand can be too coarse but this brand and grade was recommended to be safe for freshwater shrimp so I thought it might be OK for loaches. Any advice would be appreciated. And for the record the shrimp and loaches are in different tanks.

Put some in a bucket with water and then swish your hand around in it for a couple minutes. You should be able to tell from that whether you want your loaches digging in it. That's what I do for my scaleless cats.

Yeah, that's pretty much how I judge too. I rub it gently in my hand to see if it feels sharp. I haven't try blasting sand but I do like the black color.

It sounds as though it is designed to be abrasive.

The sample I have seen of Black Diamond from Tractor Supply was more angular than pool filter sand, but not actually sharp. Part of what makes it 'blasting' sand is the machine that blows it at the target at high speed.

Best not employ that for aquarium use as it might erode the epidermis.