Sand Or Gravel?

[beginner]

Hi Friends, I am new and as such was wondering, which is better for growing plants, sand or gravel? I plan to keep a 5 gallons tank with a Betta and a 10 gallons tank with 6 Cherry Barbs (2 male & 4 female). I would like to have plenty of plants in both tanks. I would appreciate some tips from the experienced. Thanks & Bye

 

[QuotheRaven]

Sand it allows plants to root themselves better than gravel

 

[Pheonix]

id go with either a fine gravel or a mixture of the two because if you have just sand it can compact and can make it hard for the roots to grow out, if its a course gravel again its difficult for the plants to root!

HTH
Andy

 

[PaulasPets]

In my experience the best is a combination of both: first sand, so the roots can hold on better and then a layer of gravel to keep the very small sand particles from floating thru your tank. You can also get special aquarium soil which has everything the plants need to grow. Again use a layer of gravel on top ore you will have veryt dirty water.

Paula

 

[Themuleous]

Some of the more delicate plants like HC and glosso have a bit of a tough time trying to grow in sand, but many people have great scapes with just sand, so its really down to personal choice.

Sam