Sand Or Gravel ?

[leysland]

That is the question. For freshwater tropical fish which is best ? I would imagine in their natural environment they have gravel but I have seen it mentioned some fish, such as Corys prefer sand. What are the pros and cons. B)

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Sand everytime IMO. It looks better, cleans better, fish are safer in it (damaged catfish barbells and goldfish swallowing gravel is testement to that ). Only one bad thing is that plants don't tank as well to it.

 

[Villy Valley]

Hi

I recently switched to sand when my black moor swallowed a stone and couldn't get it out. Needless to say I took it to LFS and they tried to get it out - but failed. The fish died 4 days later

I now have sand I don't have to watch that happen to any of my fish again - it was awful to watch it shaking and thrashing about trying to get it out.

Emma

no doubt someone will tell me that sand isn't good for them either - but at least they can spit it out!

Villy

 

[CBTF]

Personal choice. Many happy fish live in tanks with gravel. There is a risk of it being swallowed, as stated but tbh thats the first ive heard of it..

I use beach sand from a local beach and I love it (boiled first of course). Looks very natural. Although it is easier to see mess, so thats an issue. Also it can stirr up easy, and cause problems with your filter.

DO NOT use sand if your filter is an under gravel one.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Personal choice. Many happy fish live in tanks with gravel. There is a risk of it being swallowed, as stated but tbh thats the first ive heard of it..

It happened to my fish more than once. I have to use a small screwdriver to get a piece of gravel out of it's mouth more than once.