Substrate

[2day]

Hi guys...

Within the next few months, i am planning my new tank, and thought about substrate.

Would beach sand be ok? Or will it be better to go with what i have (riversand)?

 

[england]

beach so id say no...................i here people buy play sand<childrens>from places like argos its cheap n free of chemicals and sutible for fishtanks

 

[BigC]

If you ar planning on having a planted or atleast some plants in the aquarium at some stage (most people will) then the substrate is very important.
Sand has very small particles and compacts very easily around root systems (not good)
Pea gravel on the other hand is to open and large and again is no good for growning plants.
The best substrate to use is fine gravel (there are many natural coloured varieties these days).
Mix some unwashed fine gravel with some garden loam or laterite and place on the base of your aquarium to a depth of around 25mm, then on top of this place a further 35mm of washed fine gravel.
You may not wish to grow plants initially but if you do at some stage then the substrate is already laid.
Regards
BigC