Choosing A Substrate

[super]

Hi everyone!

I'd like some advice about choosing sand for my tropical tank. I prefer to have one that has the brightest/whitest look. I was thinking about Caribsea's white sand but I'm concerned about how fine the grains are, is it as fine as silica/silver sand where it tends to feel quite 'muddy' inside the water and compact, or is it a lot denser and the grains are coarser. Also, I'm having trouble finding more information about Caribsea's Ocean Direct Oolite sand, they do not mention anything about pH buffering on the item description (whereas with Arag-alive they do), does that mean that this substrate is not aragonite and can I use it (after having thoroughly rinsed it) in a tropical tank? I've used silica/silver sand before and find the grain size is far too fine and can create problems in the tank. I've read a similar thread on this forum but found no info with respect to grain size.


Thanks!

 

[Monty-2010]

I'd stay away away from sand and go for gravel, hides the fish poo better

 

[super]

I'd stay away away from sand and go for gravel, hides the fish poo better

I prefer the look of sand substrate and I don't mind the extra hassle of cleaning!

 

[blackers92]

I would definitely go for sand, i have fine "grit" gravel and it was one of the biggest mistakes i made

I had some loaches but they didnt do to well because it was bad for their barbells. I can also never get corys

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

My Unipac Congo Sand is a mixture of sand grain colours, but it is mainly white/beige, in the Rio240. Its about £25 for 25Kg. I chose it more for the fact I was doing a reverine theme centred on the Congo/Zaire River.

Its possibly worth me mentioning that when I added a substrate to the Korrall60 for my Squirrel Loaches, I opted for black sand. It made the fish and plants stand out more and a dark substrate is often said to settle fish better.

 

[super]

I've just found this: http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/unipac-ice-white-aquarium-sand-25kg-p-4436.html?zenid=av9v7ktiq538n7lql4dkufm0j0

Seems to be ideal, grain sizes approx 1mm.