Gravel Or Sand?

[jakey boi]

Hi,
i was going to set up my tank and i am planning to get 2 discus (hopefully a breeding pair)
i wanted to no what would be better for the fish??
gravel or sand

 

[simonbrown403]

I think its down to personal preference to be honest.

I like sand because its closer to what they would have in there natural environment, plus its nice to watch the fanning the the sand looking for food.

Not only that, but most people tend to put corys in with there discus, so sand would be ideal for them to.

 

[big mick]

Id go with sand, Im in the middle of changing all my tanks over to sand. I might be a bit harder to keep clean but it depends how much time you're willing to spend on your tanks.

 

[Themuleous]

Cant say I've used sand before but I've heard you have to keep an eye on it to stop it becoming really dense and compact when it settles over a long time (and then getting really anoxic). Not sure know true this is mind, but just so you know

Sam

 

[simonbrown403]

Cant say I've used sand before but I've heard you have to keep an eye on it to stop it becoming really dense and compact when it settles over a long time (and then getting really anoxic). Not sure know true this is mind, but just so you know

Sam

I,ve heard a few people say that sand is hard to keep, i cant say I've ever found it to be true.

I prefer it as it is harder for food and waste to fall between the gaps and become trapped and rot, it sits on the surface ready to be sucked up with a syphon.

It dose have a tendency to go anaerobic in places where the sand becomes compacted and o2 cant get to it, but a quick stir dose the trick.

 

[Themuleous]

Fair enough! I'll remember that if I ever decide to use sand myself

Sam

 

[ksam]

I have to admit that I really like sand in the tank, I love to watch the corys digging through it It's easy to clean since everything just sits ontop of it (shames you into cleaning the tank more often ), my plants seem to like it aswell. It is a pain to clean before you put it into the tank, I use kids play sand cos it's sooo cheap, but it takes a long time to wash.

I havent yet changed the discus tank over to sand, instead I have 3mm gravel. The discus can still hunt around for any food they might have missed (hahaha not much luck there ) and it's not too rough for the corys barbels either.

 

[emma12321]

Hi,

I'd go with sand. I have it in 5 of my 7 tanks and prefer it. What size tank are you putting the discus in. I hope you have a different bigger tank than the 96 litre you mentioned in another post.

Emma

 

[Squid]

I went for sand.. and my panda cory's are doing a fab job of keeping it clean.. so less work for me when channging the water.. perhaps just a little stir with a bent coat hanger to stop that anaerobic build up...

My little cory's leave little dents all over the sand where they have been working hard

Squid