My Current Fish, Would Sand Be Better

[*Sonic*]

Dont want to start any arguments

But I have a question re sand instead of gravel

The fish I currently have in the tank are as follows

Golden Nugget Plec
Common Plec
Silver Shark
2 small Angel Fish
2 small Clown Loaches
2 Neon Tetras
2 Polka Dot Loaches (currently in a different tank)
2 male Guppies

Just wondering whether sand would be a better substrate instead of gravel for the fish I have above, I know the Polka Dots prefer sand, but wonder if the other fish would be ok with it too

Also its for a new Juwel Rio 180 (180 litre tank) and what sort of quantity would I need, I have a 10kg bag of gravel, that I can use instead of sand, but I wouldnt mind sand

Steve

 

[CluelessScot]

Hi, i just set up my first tank this month and i went for a sand substrate. Im not sure if your fish suit it or not but 1 thing i know is that sand looks real nice but requires quite a bit of work

I have a 45us Gallon tank, bout 165L i used kids play sand. I bought a bag from focus (uk) for £3 which was about 10kg (may have been 11 lol?) you just need to wash itfor a while and its all good, looks good and aint to bad on the price. If your from the UK try argos too they do a 15kg bad for £2.99

Hope that helped

Kev

 

[cyprinut]

I don't really know if plecos like sand or not, but the long strings of excrement laying on sand sounds a little messy.

 

[SirMinion]

I don't really know if plecos like sand or not, but the long strings of excrement laying on sand sounds a little messy.

Better on the surface of the sand where it can be seen and easily removed than down between stones where it's out of sight out of mind.

And yes, Plecos are fine with sand, they don't seem to care either way.

 

[kat and james]

i remember reading that loaches prefer sand as well, as they like to dig about in the sand. but we have gravel (smooth pebbles), and they just dig about in there!

 

[ChrisCook]

I have plecs on my sand which could excrete for England. I have 3 Catfish that swim around in a crazy manner on the bottom and stir up all the excrement which then lifts from the bottom and the current pushes it towards the filter. I haven't removed any excrement and I've had that tank up and running for 2 months or so - it is spotless.

 

[*Sonic*]

i remember reading that loaches prefer sand as well, as they like to dig about in the sand. but we have gravel (smooth pebbles), and they just dig about in there!

Yeah my two polka dot loaches (currently in a seperate tank) have removed all the gravel by the bottom of the filter, to facilitate easier access for hiding in

Ill look at Focus tonight on the way home from work at the sand (they have a fish section too, but only sell gravel there)

Steve

 

[kniesh]

Hi, I have just bought a blue lobster and know this would prefer sand. I was going to change my substrate anyway, but was under the impression I would have to order an aquarium sand of some sort from my fish shop. Can I really just go to argos and buy kids play sand?

 

[CluelessScot]

yup indeed you can. Just wash it for a good while.

have a look at this,

Hi nino

Perhaps the safest and least expensive kind of sand is common play sand. You can find it at Home Depot or other home improvement store for around $3.00 for 50 pounds.

This is fine sand with rounded edges and it is sold with the expectation that it will be safe for toddler's delicate skin. It's safe to use with corys or other fish that have barbels.

The only thing that some people don't like about it is that it takes some effort to wash the silt out of it. IMHO, it's lovely natural sand and the price is right; I'll put in a little extra work to make it work.

 

[kniesh]

I live about a 1min walk from the argos, so play sand it is, can u elaborate on the cleaning of it for me? Not sure how long to leave in in soaking or whatever, thx.

 

[CluelessScot]

well i have read that you can leave it in a big bucket and leave a hose in it??

The way i did it was i used a small bucket, filed the bucked 1/3 up, filled it with water and this bubble mess forms on the top of the water. I then pour the water out and then fill, then out, fill then out... get the point here. just did it like 5 times per bucket, then more sand and repeat... mite take a few buckets and a bit of time but u will get there

Kev

 

[kniesh]

thx a lot.