Sand

[Fish Buddy]

If I were to switch over from gravel to sand, how would I clean it or would it even need cleaning (vacuume)?

 

[jams.alaskan]

The cool thing about sand is that the fish waste dosen't go below the surface, it remains on top so you can get it all without really stiffing things up to find it like in gravel. The same vac you use on gravel works well on sand - just a slight difference in technique. Don't push it in the substrate - keep it above to a height that picks up the waste and not the sand. Probably will take a little practice but so does everything worth doing... I've been told that you should turn off the filter when you do this so as not to introduce sand particles stirred up into your filter and damage it.

ALASKA

 

[Fish Buddy]

So do you like sand way better than gravel? I need to buy a substrate for my 10 g and am not sure which one to buy. (I don't know much about sand except that it takes a while to settle )

 

[jams.alaskan]

I rinsed mine very well and the settle time was less then 20 min. Now before you get stressed if your results are different. My sand was a little larger in particle then say the pool filter stuff... I do like it "way better" it dosen't seem to get dirty looking like my old gravel in the other tank. A simple inspection of the surface tells you if it is dirty. The gravel can be hiding a lot of waste and you don't know till you vaccume. It is also more gentle on some cory fish and maybe even loach noses.

ALASKA

 

[marks69]

i like the sand alot better than gravel.easy to clean, it was only $6 for sand for my 55g, the plants stay in place and are growing well, and it looks more natural then rocks.