Substrate Questions

[screemer]

Hi there, i am looking to buy a new Aqua One Aquastyle 620T tank. I like the look of fine sands, almost like in marine aquariums, or a 2mm gravel, as opposed to the traditional bigger gravel. Is this ok for tropical tanks? Does it get dirtier quicker? Any problems with cleaning it? I have seen in a few mags, people have used either play sand or silica sand?? Is that ok too?

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, there's nothing wrong with choosing sands. Gravel or sand, either is fine for a tropical tank. They each require a different skill to be learned for the weekly substrate-clean-water-change but either skill is learnable by a beginner. Fine substrates that are light in color do tend to show debris a little more quickly, so may be enjoyed a bit more by those who like to fuss with their tank a little more often. A little fine sand usually escapes out with each water change but its cheap (especially the playsand) and easily augmented. Sand is a little easier for anchoring plants and is far easier on most bottom dwellers such as cories. The gravel cleaning skill may be a little more easily learned than the sand cleaning skill but not to a big extent.

~~waterdrop~~