gravel or sand

[Dori777]

Hey all im getting into fish and have bought my slef a tank and some other stuff i am going to be breeding bristlenose cat fish what should i get, gravel or sand

 

[corrosive]

I use gravel, but sand is good, only reason im not using it is because my lfs say its a nasty thing to work with.

Before you think about getting fish, please make sure your tank is fully cycled, with ammonia levels: 0, nitrite levels: 0, and nitrate about 0-20 (i think).

I have recently lost a fish due to high nitrite levels, and the fish just not being able to cope in my tank, i dont want anyone to lose any fish because of something so simple.

 

[Dori777]

ok so if you were me would you use gravel or sand ive never done this before

 

[Dori777]

thanks for the good tips ill make sure its cycled

 

[corrosive]

I would probably use gravel , make sure you soak it over night until you put it in your tank, lmao, i learned that the hardway, my tank went misty for a couple of days.

 

[Earthgirl]

I have sand in both of my tanks. I love it and would never go back to gravel again. That's just me, I like the look of it better. Sand should be rinsed first and the tank will be cloudy for a couple of days. You need to rinse out your sponge in old tank water.
The problem with sand it that EVERYTHING shows up and it takes a bit longer to establish a good bacteria, not like the gravel.
But I really love it even though the work.

 

[Dori777]

ok so when you say rinse the sand and use a dirty sponge or whatever can you explain a bit better and what do you do when your cleaing a tank do you empty all the water and do it or do you just sypher upp all the crap cause i have no idea

 

[samthefishman]

nath i am upset, Why dont u just ask me how to clean fishtanks? not only do i have to clean them at work, i clean them at home.

 

[Earthgirl]

ok so when you say rinse the sand and use a dirty sponge or whatever can you explain a bit better and what do you do when your cleaing a tank do you empty all the water and do it or do you just sypher upp all the crap cause i have no idea

I mean that when adding sand the tank will be cloudy. To help with the cloudiness rinse your sponge in old tank water as not to lose the beneficial bacteria that has been established.
I thought I was clear, anyone else not understand what I was saying?

 

[paulioo]

Without a doubt go with sand. I had gravel but then changed to sand and in my opinion:

Its easier to clean. You can see whether you've got rid of all the fish poop.
It looks fantastic and natural.
The fish love it.

Sure you need to wash the sand before you put it in the tank and stir the sand once a month but its worth it.

paul.

edit : I dont really understand what your saying

 

[samthefishman]

well i got sand, and i can tell your right now it sucks.
It makes your tank look so unclean because the poo sits on top of it.
He is getting bristlenose, they moke more waste then they eat! he tanks gonna be full of crap. "I" think you should get gravel, it will make it look alot cleaner, i now wish i had gravel for my bnose breeding tank

 

[squidlips]

can someone explain the diference sand and gravel??? i say if you wash the sand or in gravel well over and over in a bucket before you put it in the tank is best ... ask at your pet shop about a gravel syphen cleaner it gravity syphens water 0ut while you push the other end in and out of your gravel ..the sand will left and drop ..the crap will go out and the gravel will stay .do this 1-2 times aweek depending how mutch grunge you see ..20% water changes are good . use a water ager with each change check ph weekly ....oh i could go on and on ..ps hi hi guys .. hope im not stepping on toes

 

[samthefishman]

dude.... I have had fish for years lol
i already know all of what you said, And that does not change the fact that bristlenose crap alot.

 

[squidlips]

dude.... I have had fish for years lol
i already know all of what you said, And that does not change the fact that bristlenose crap alot.

then you would need to create a bit of water movement with a sobmersed power filter to pick up the solids .. i have a 42 cm mangrove jack eats and craps a lot moor than a whole school of bristlenoses his tank is emaculate.