Does Sand Substrate Have To Be Cleaned Or Maintained?

[max123]

I have gravel in my tank currently, but I was thinking of changing my substrate to sand. Does sand substrate have to be cleaned or maintained? Thanks.

 

[serbusfish]

I have gravel in my tank currently, but I was thinking of changing my substrate to sand. Does sand substrate have to be cleaned or maintained? Thanks.

Not in the same way as gravel, if you tried using a gravel vac it would all get sucked out!

All the fish waste will sit on top, so the surface is the only area that needs cleaning. I personally use a simple piece of tubing to clean mine, once you start siphoning just wave the pipe around over any dirt and it will get sucked up leaving the sand in place. Dont get too close though or you'll end up with sand in your bucket

 

[lee420]

you can also get a larger grained sand which wont suck up as easy and wont get kicked around as much by your fish if theyre diggers (such as cichlids)

just make sure to clean the hell out of your sand before you put it in, i made the mistake of not doing that and my water looked like milk for a week.