Activated Carbon To Remove Black Dye From New Sand?

[Curiosity101]

I'm switching to black sand on boxing day (I know it spoils the surprise but I asked for the sand for xmas and told my parents that if it was the only thing I got I'd be happy, and that if they weren't going to get it for me then to tell me because I REALLY want it. So they promised me wooo!)

Anyhoo, obviously I'll wash it extremely well, but I expect some clouding/discolouration. My filter will sort out most of the floating sand particles. But is it worth sticking some carbon in the filter to clear any discolouration? Or will it not work?

 

[minxfishy]

If its black sand like I just used (unipac limpoopo) its a nightmare to clean, no matter how much you wash it, the dye just keeps coming out, took me forever and still the tank was cloudy afterwards, but I didnt use any carbon, just lots of floss, cleared by the next morning, but carbon will no doubt do something to help

 

[Curiosity101]

It'll be Flourite Black Sand on the bottom layer, then Black Tahitian Moon Sand on top.

Obviously I expect to do LOTS of washing. (Plenty of rubber gloves on hand), and I expect some clouding (fluval 3+ and filter floss on hand! ) but it was any extra staining from actual dyes I was worried about. Have you noticed it at all?

Oh and do you prefer the dark sand??

 

[minxfishy]

Once the tank settled, I havent noticed any staining at all and I thought when cleaning Id made a huge mistake as my hands (didnt use gloves - doh!) were really stained took days to get the colour off!!! I believe the sand your using is cleaner than mine too, from what Ive read anyway.

I do prefer the look of the black sand, it does highten the fish colours and isnt as bad as I thought it would be for showing waste, unlike light coloured sand which is a nightmare IME.

 

[Curiosity101]

Good good. I'm mainly getting it for the rams, I want 'relatively' bright lighting for the plants, but am really hoping the black absorbs so of the reflected light making it seemingly darker near the substrate.
I want to show of the rams neon blue lips, they look amazing.
And yes, black certainly can't be worse for showing up fish waste, so win win.

Not looking forwards to the switch though. No one in the house is fishy enough to help...so it could be fun!