Sand Over Gravel?

[zola]

Why do some recommend sand over gravel?

Also, is it not very hard to clean the bottom ?

I think a siphon and gravel cleaner would lift the sand up when sucking out the water.

can someone clarify for me please?

thanks

 

[mattbleasby]

I cant answer why someone would recommend sand and gravel the sand would just mix with the gravel in my opinion.

No its not very hard to clean sand. I dont know why people think it is. With gravel the muck and poo gets to the bottom of the gravel because of the gaps. Where as sand doesent let the mess get through so it just sits on the top.

So you just use a syphon and hold it maybe a centremetre or so above the sand and suck up the muck. Abit of practice and you will soon have the right level where it gets t dirt but not the sand.

Hope this helps.

 

[K_Hedin]

I believe they meant recommend sand as the substrate over using gravel as the substrate.

I personally prefer gravel as I have live plants and the waste can get down to where the roots are where as with sand it can not.

 

[zola]

Yes I mean sand as opposed to gravel, sorry!

If it's easier to maintain then I am all for it.

So the sand wouldnt get sucked up the siphon really?

I have no live plants

 

[mattbleasby]

If you put the syphon in the sand then you ill suck up sand. but once you figure out the right level to hold it above. then you will be sorted. I believe its easier but some people disagree

 

[zola]

If you put the syphon in the sand then you ill suck up sand. but once you figure out the right level to hold it above. then you will be sorted. I believe its easier but some people disagree

Could one technique be to stir the sand about, let the bad stuff escape then Hoover it up with the siphon?

 

[mattbleasby]

There is no need to in my opinion, And that would just create sandy cloudy water as it would unsettle the sand.

Because the muck doesn't sink there is no need to go below the top layer

 

[BigbruiserAl]

If you put the syphon in the sand then you ill suck up sand. but once you figure out the right level to hold it above. then you will be sorted. I believe its easier but some people disagree

Could one technique be to stir the sand about, let the bad stuff escape then Hoover it up with the siphon?

Thats exactly what i do. swirl the hose approx 1" above the sand create a little vortex and the gunk that surronds will just get sucked in(bit like a sink hole)
I do lose a bit of sand but we talking grains here every water change

 

[Rogue4Fish]

I've used both, personally I think sand looks better. I don't find it that hard to clean, but you will lose a little sand when syphoning.

I think if you went for microgravel, it could still look very nice. Especially if you went for black, and it's a lot easier to clean.

 

[zola]

Is regular play sand ok? Does it need rinsed or anything before I add it in?

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Alot of people recommend normal 'Argos' play-sand as it's cheap and does the job. I bought proper tank sand from my local M.A, £15 a bag! Anyway, measure then scoop out the amount you are going to use in the tank (add a little more) then clean it out the back..maybe put it in a CLEAN bucket, put a hosepipe into it and let the water run out at an angle for an hour or so, maybe more, depending on how clean it is/was when you bought it.
I cleaned mine for about 2 hours but my tank still went cloudy for 2/3 days.
Regards,
Terry.

 

[zola]

Rinsed sand and added it! made a bit of a mess as I had no scoop, lol.

Anyway it's unbelievably cloudy, is it going to be like that every time I do a water change now?

 

[fluttermoth]

No; it will settle; you probably didn't rinse it enough!

 

[zola]

Will water changes help with this tomorrow? Also, should the filter be kept on? Will agitating the water keep it cloudy?

 

[fluttermoth]

If there's any risk that sand could get to impellor of your filter, you'll have to keep it off. If the water goes through the media first, you could add some floss to your filter for a couple of hours.Water changes will help.
Have you got fish in this tank? If you have, do a massive water change now to get rid of the worst of the cloudiness.
Agitation will keep the very light particles in suspension I suspect. I've never had the problem myself though (I'm an obsessive substrate washer )