Sand Or Gravel?

[aibo210]

Hi

Im not sure weather to change my gravel to sand? ive herd people using argos play sand? is this ok and easyer to maintain then a gravel bottem?

 

[Alex_]

white sand over time will show all the poo and other nasty stuff soo id stay away.

 

[crazie.eddie]

Many people like using sand. There are many different types and sizes. Regular fine sand can damage your filter if a few grains get sucked into the filter. Most people who use sand use a sponge filter over the intake to prevent this. Pool filter size sand is a little larger and will not get easily sucked into the filter. I use sand similar to pool filter sand in 2 of my tanks. It's black in color, which enhances the colors of my L-046 zebra plecos and my RCS (Red Cherry shrimp). Since it's black, the fish waste cannot really be noticed, unlike white or beige colored sand.

The nice thing about sand is the waste will usually always stay on top of the sand and will not get trapped in between. This makes using a gravel vac somewhat easy. The reason I say somewhat is becuase you cannot burry the gravel tube into the sand, since you will suck up allot of sand during the process. In order to do a gravel vac with sand you need to bring the syphon close enough to the sand to suck up the detritus on top, but not to suck up any sand. It's not difficult, but just takes some practice. Pool filter sized sand usually do not have this type of problem, so you can normally bring the gravel vac into the sand.

 

[DarkEntity]

I have 3mm gravel in my 125 Community but sand in the other 2 tanks. All the waste sits on sand and is easily hoovered up, where it falls between the gravel and isnt as obvious.

I probably wouldnt do sand in a community tank, you would be forever cleaning it. It a small tank with a few low waste fish its beautifull

ps

I use Argos Play sand, 2.50 for 25Kg cant be beaten imo

 

[Sibelius]

I'll have to start practising hoovering then! I have to say though, sand is great for planting!

 

[SuperColey1]

I have sand, I have a community tank, It is overstocked, It gets poo on it all the time, I only water change once a week.

Guess what

Its natural guys. You seriously want a tank where you can't see fish pooh then don't buy fish, otherwise get planted and let the plants take the natural fertiliser.

I don't see the problem, once a week I remove whats on top, then the process starts again, the plants use some, the bacteria use some, and then at the end of the week I remove whats left, and on and on.

Fact of live fish do pooh. Apart from not likeing gravel too much. it gets filthy with all the mulm working its way to the bottom over time. I'd rather see a few bits of poop on the sand then have gravel where especially against the glass ou can see how much s**t actually gets into it!! Yuck

It is Argos play sand and it doesn't get into my filter (which is internal) because my filter is about 4 inches off the sand and it won't get sucked up that high.

EDIT: please excuse my over authoritous tone in this post. got a bit carried away there

 

[Sibelius]

Notion seconded!

 

[Davey Jones]

I use sand similar to pool filter sand in 2 of my tanks. It's black in color, which enhances the colors of my L-046 zebra plecos and my RCS (Red Cherry shrimp). Since it's black, the fish waste cannot really be noticed, unlike white or beige colored sand.

Can you tell me where you got the black sand, i'm after some but my lfs dosen't sell it and I dont supose you would know how much sand would be needed to cover a 48"x24" base?