Sand Or Gravel?

[nudzy]

Hi to all,

Which is best and why.?


Have just got a 20L tank which will guppies and neons in it once it is cycled.
Ive always used gravel but looking on here sand is used as well.

Can anyone tell me the difference, also would like to put an apple snail in there will it get stuck in the sand?
many thanks

 

[aaronnorth]

It's personal preference really, sand will become more compact over time, so it has a higher chance of creating gas pockets for hydrogen suphate (i think thats name) but it is as likely with gravel It is also very easy to clean as all the waste and debris colect on the top therefore easy siphoning.

Gravel, the waste can fall into the spaces providing live plants with nutrients

not much more to say really, i use gravel & sand.

If you do get sand then get the play sand (£2.49 for 15Kg @ argos) much cheaper & just as good as aquatic sand

 

[LolaLouie]

I used to use gravel and then recently changed to sand. My reasons for changing were 1st it looks much nicer and secondly fish such as corys, kribs and many other cichlids love sand and are constantly shifting it through their gills. Bad things about sand are that it is a little more time consuming to clean as you have to be more careful running the syphon over the top not disturbing the sand while gravel you can just wack it in there. Also think maybe gravel is better for plants?!? Also sand is heavier for carrying but you only do that once so not a big deal.

 

[nudzy]

Thanks for reply, much appreciated.

I was wondering what happened to the waste, because in my gravel it just sort of sinks into it, I use the siphon and the wasted goes up but gravel does not as its to heavy, does the sand go up the siphon when you clean it?
Does the waste not sink into sand then?

Thanks again.

 

[DevUK]

You need to be a little more careful when syphoning as you're likely to suck up sand too. The technique most use is to swirl the end of the syphon around above the sand to make a bit of a vortex, and it lifts the debris but should leave the sand. Takes some practice

 

[nudzy]

Thanks for all info,

going shopping for plants, and substrate tomorrow, ill bear it in mind.

dee.

 

[Starfishpower]

a quick FYI, with sand be sure to wash out the silt before you put it in there otherwise it will cloud your tank something awful for a few days... oh and put the sand in before the water otherwise it still gets cloudy. i definitely recommend, with sand, putting a large plate or something over the it and pouring the water onto that instead of directly into the sand to help keep ur water sparkling clean. of course if you have a diatom filter then you can just make ur water as cloudy as you want and itll be crystal clear in a few hours any way lol good luck and have fun