Sand Vs Gravel

[dreworz5]

I think the sand looks better.

I was wondering where i could get sand, as the local PETsMART only has gravel. I was wondering if a mom and pop shop would have this?

is the forum based in the UK?? why is everybody obssed with litters rather than Gallons??

 

[tidytourniquet]

You can use play sand and get that at a Homedepot or Lowes way cheaper then the stuff they sell at the pet stores. And the thing with liters and gallons, well liters are the same everywhere but gallons aren't.

 

[caliskier]

You can use play sand and get that at a Homedepot or Lowes way cheaper then the stuff they sell at the pet stores. And the thing with liters and gallons, well liters are the same everywhere but gallons aren't.

Use pool filter sand from your local pool store. Pool filter sand is nice and white, do a search on this forum for pool filter sand. That will give you more info. Stay away from Home Depot pool filter sand I did not like it, too dirty, too brown.

 

[dreworz5]

so is there no such thing as "aqarium sand"? or is just really expensive?

 

[The-Wolf]

so is there no such thing as "aqarium sand"? or is just really expensive?

Aquarium sand is sand tha has been pre washed and irradiated
this pushes up the price. you are paying for the word aquarium on the packet.

pool filter sand is the way to go, i use it in all my tanks and
the one I use didn't need washing either.

 

[Marcos]

I've just changed to sand, it looks so good I can't see me going back.

 

[dreworz5]

is it a lot cheaper?? and do u need to clean it well first??

I think i might do this for my 50(US) gallon when i start this up in a few months probably.

ill prolly stick with gravel in my 20(US) gallon tank

 

[dreworz5]

dang i realyl wish i did not buy new gravel and open it, as now i really want sand. it looks so much better.

 

[CBTF]

Sand is a pain in the rear. Im changing back to gravel soon. Looks great, but it's messy as hell.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

hrmm? sand messy? its actually much cleaner than gravel, and it is much easier to clean because you only need to vacuum the surface of it. all the crap and other stuff stays on top of the sand because they cant fit in between the grains of sand, but with gravel, all of it just gets lodged in between the gravel. if you have active bottom dwelling fish, the sand should be spotless.

 

[isu_guy]

To clarify dorkhedeos, the bottemdwellers will make the bottom spotless from excess food. poop will still be there, but easy enough to syphon out.

I use a product called colorquartz made by 3M, not sure how available it is in the UK. Very similiar to Tahitian Moon sand. It is more expensive than pool filter sand, but it comes in any color you wish (I chose black). It is actually small ceramic ... pieces... pebbles... It looks like sand though.

One more option to consider.... Regardless - most on here will say go sand (or something of the sort) over gravel... and I agree.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

i was trying to say that the bottom dwellers stir up the surface of the sand, which makes the crap float around for a minute or 2. this allows the filter to suck it up if if goes near the intake tube.

Edit: hrmm, i might want to try color quartz seems pretty good. next time i go to san jose, ima get some do you have to rinse it alot before you use it?

 

[CBTF]

i have 3 cories and 2 shrimp in a 10g, it's not spotless.

 

[Swart Skaap]

http/solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/!ut...1C_IcFQEAHTt83Y!

Theres some more info on 3M colour Crystals!

isu_guy,

i wanna go black with my tank......how does the mess look on darker gravel/sand compared to lighter stuff?

and Tahitian Moon sand - http/www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/sk...1.asp?E+scstore

 

[Squid]

I went for the Argos Playsand.... £2.49 for 15kg... bargain.. pleased with it too...

Squid