Substrate

[brisbum]

I am having trouble working out what to use at the bottom of my tank. When I bought the tank it came with fine gravel. At the moment I have nothing on the bottom of the tank at the moment. One pet store suggested putting aquarium sand on the bottom but they didnt have any in stock. I rang around a number of aquarium stores and found some aquarium sand but they suggested not to use it as it would completely throw the ph level in my tank. Is that true?

 

[chesterscot]

to the forum first off
i use sand in my tanks and its fine it comes in loads of colours i actually use argos play sand and this works well its under a fiver for about 15kg takes alot of cleaning though lol
regards scot

 

[waterdrop]

Many members here use sand with great success. Its probably almost as popular as natural colored aquarium gravel or black gravel. The play sand mentioned is popular because you need safe sand (they make sure play sand is safe for kids) and it is inexpensive compared to some retail fish shop sands. All substrates need to be rinsed a lot of course before using.

Special substrates that have benefits for plants are also popular (EcoComplete, Seachem ones, Laterites etc.) and I believe some of these can be had as sands instead of gravels.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[murphyk32]

i had gravel, and currently have (crushed coral i beleive?) in one, and sand in the toehr, no problems with any of them

 

[Corleone]

Some sand is meant for rift valley cichlid tanks or marine tanks, which will mess with your pH. There's plenty of options that won't. You can even use play sand from a hardware store or builder's supply.

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, good point Corleone. By sand, we mean normal -inert- sand, not anything that is active and will mess with the pH. Crushed coral, special cichlid sands and things like that that change pH should not be used unless they are really needed.

~~waterdrop~~