Jezah
Fish Crazy
The debate over Sand vs. Gravel is one that is often waged. So I decided to lightly outline the pros and cons of each, hopefully this will help everyone make their decision as to what one is best for their tank...
Gravel
Pros:
Easier to clean with conventional gravel vac
No possibility of trapped toxic gases caused by too deep sand
Comes in variety of colors
Somewhat easier to prepare
Can be used with Under Gravel Filters
Cons:
Can harm barbels on some catfish
Food/debris can get trapped between pieces
Can have sharp edges
Can shift and kill fry
Live plants become easily uprooted
Detail:
Gravel is the tried and true substrate for gravel and is readily available in many colors and styles. However, it tends to be sharp and can easily harm the barbels on some catfish. It is also too heavy for some small fry and a shift in it can easily trap or kill them. An upside is that Gravel is easy to clean. Most gravel vacs can scoop up debris easily from gravel, as well, UGF keep the bottom of the tank clean. Unfortunately some debris gets stuck between rocks and can be hard to remove as it falls down cracks, impossible for most scavengers to get to and hard for gravel vacs to suck up. As well, plants tend to become easily uprooted in the large particles of gravel. Any shift could uproot the plant. It is easy to prepare however, as a simple rinsing will usually remove anything detrimental to your aquarium.
Sand
Pros:
Debris rests on top of sand for easy cleaning
Plants seem to prefer sand
Provides nutrients to plants
Easier for catfish to clean
Soft, not dangerous to barbels
More natural looking
Gives alot better range of fish
Cons:
Can compact and trap dangerous toxins
Cannot be used with a Under Gravel Filter
Can create temporary cloudiness
Lack of aeration can lead to bacteria growth
Some sands may stain with debris
Somewhat difficult to prepare
Detail:
Sand is much better for catfish such as Corydoras as it is easier for them to clean and does not damage their delicate barbels. However, Corydoras only clean the top layer of sand, lower down bacteria can grow and create problems. On the other hand, it poses less of a problem with trapped debris that your filter cannot suck up. Most debris rests on top of the sand and is easier to scoop up with a gravel vacuum if you know how. UGF cannot be used with sand as it will clog them, but you don't usually need them as sand particles are small enough that debris doesn't usually fall below the top layer. Provide water movement at the bottom of the tank through the use of powerheads, and/or filters. This water movement will keep debris from settling on the sand, and you will almost NEVER have to vacuum. Some particles may over time stain brown with debris, but that is usually remedied by bleaching the sand. A bad thing about sand is that in order to insure that no small particles remain and can cloud water, you need to spend a good amount of time rinsing it under water. As well, to make sure the sand is clean of parasites, it is a good idea to boil it in a dilute bleach solution. This is not a problem with specially prepared aquarium sands, just play sand, pool filter sand ETC. But once cleaned it does usually provide a more natural look and feel to your aquarium.
Gravel
Pros:
Easier to clean with conventional gravel vac
No possibility of trapped toxic gases caused by too deep sand
Comes in variety of colors
Somewhat easier to prepare
Can be used with Under Gravel Filters
Cons:
Can harm barbels on some catfish
Food/debris can get trapped between pieces
Can have sharp edges
Can shift and kill fry
Live plants become easily uprooted
Detail:
Gravel is the tried and true substrate for gravel and is readily available in many colors and styles. However, it tends to be sharp and can easily harm the barbels on some catfish. It is also too heavy for some small fry and a shift in it can easily trap or kill them. An upside is that Gravel is easy to clean. Most gravel vacs can scoop up debris easily from gravel, as well, UGF keep the bottom of the tank clean. Unfortunately some debris gets stuck between rocks and can be hard to remove as it falls down cracks, impossible for most scavengers to get to and hard for gravel vacs to suck up. As well, plants tend to become easily uprooted in the large particles of gravel. Any shift could uproot the plant. It is easy to prepare however, as a simple rinsing will usually remove anything detrimental to your aquarium.
Sand
Pros:
Debris rests on top of sand for easy cleaning
Plants seem to prefer sand
Provides nutrients to plants
Easier for catfish to clean
Soft, not dangerous to barbels
More natural looking
Gives alot better range of fish
Cons:
Can compact and trap dangerous toxins
Cannot be used with a Under Gravel Filter
Can create temporary cloudiness
Lack of aeration can lead to bacteria growth
Some sands may stain with debris
Somewhat difficult to prepare
Detail:
Sand is much better for catfish such as Corydoras as it is easier for them to clean and does not damage their delicate barbels. However, Corydoras only clean the top layer of sand, lower down bacteria can grow and create problems. On the other hand, it poses less of a problem with trapped debris that your filter cannot suck up. Most debris rests on top of the sand and is easier to scoop up with a gravel vacuum if you know how. UGF cannot be used with sand as it will clog them, but you don't usually need them as sand particles are small enough that debris doesn't usually fall below the top layer. Provide water movement at the bottom of the tank through the use of powerheads, and/or filters. This water movement will keep debris from settling on the sand, and you will almost NEVER have to vacuum. Some particles may over time stain brown with debris, but that is usually remedied by bleaching the sand. A bad thing about sand is that in order to insure that no small particles remain and can cloud water, you need to spend a good amount of time rinsing it under water. As well, to make sure the sand is clean of parasites, it is a good idea to boil it in a dilute bleach solution. This is not a problem with specially prepared aquarium sands, just play sand, pool filter sand ETC. But once cleaned it does usually provide a more natural look and feel to your aquarium.
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