Which Is Better? Sand Or Gravel

[max123]

I am thinking of changing from gravel to sand, which is better?

 

[fluttermoth]

I prefer sand, although I do have a couple of gravel tanks.

Sand is easier to keep clean (as all the dirt sits on top, rather than sinking down through the gaps and getting trapped) and it's a must for corydoras catfish and loaches, IMO.

 

[seeley82]

sand all the way for me, I changed a while ago now and my fish just love it

 

[Shaddex]

Ive always used argos play sand, thoroughly washed before putting it in the tank.

Looks very nice

 

[Mikey1]

what do u mean better?

there is no right or wrong answer, unless you are using an UGF....thats the only time substrate matters

 

[Livewire88]

It's all down to personal preference, I prefer gravel because I found sand a pain to keep clean and it tends to get everywhere including the filter, also I found that sand washed out the fishes colors.

But plenty of people here use sand and love it so it's all down to what you prefer.

 

[balajake]

I'm a huge fan of proper aquarium sand. You must rake it through every week though. Very very important

 

[TTboy]

I just started back a tank, i decided on sand. it looks so natural.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Mikey is right, its a matter of preference.

I like sand, its cheaper than gravel, it keeps the tank cleaner, and the dirt sits on top where you can see it - so you can remove it easily. And finally, as fluttermoth points out, sand is ideal for certain bottom dwelling fish. In my opinion, cories take on a whole new behavior in sand as compared to gravel. I'm a fan of watching the cories sift through the sand and push it through their gills as they do so. They really do seem far "happier" on sand. I'd never go back to gravel with cories, but again, that's personal preference more than anything else. Proper, rounded gravel is just fine for cories, I think.

 

[max123]

I have corys on gravel, is this the reason they always seem to hide, or is that natural?

 

[Mikey1]

I have corys on gravel, is this the reason they always seem to hide, or is that natural?

anytime i have had corys on gravel they seem to love it

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I have corys on gravel, is this the reason they always seem to hide, or is that natural?

My cories enjoy the "cave" I gave them in my tank (sand substrate). They spend about equal time in there and equal time cruising around looking for food (plus they do a fair amount of breeding! I caught one of my females carrying around an egg with a few males in hot pursuit, then dropped the egg off on a plant leaf).

 

[max123]

ok thanks

 

[chokko]

i tried making a sand cave with pvc, but it looks rubbish think i put too much aquarium silicon on it in the end....have u got a picture of yours eagleaquarium?

cories are my preferred fish, and as posted many times before, this is why it's sand all the way:

 

[DrSlackBladder]

I agree; recent convert to sand primarily for my corys. Great pic chokko; what camera/settings/method?