FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hi,

can anyone let me know which is best, Sand or Gravel and why?

The question has cropped up.

Leon

Leon, The answer to your question depends on a lot of factors.

What is the tank going to be used for? Do the inhabitants need a sand bottom? Are you thinking about sand for the use of live plants? Also, what is your personal preference?

Some people like sand over gravel, some don't.

I personally don't see any reason to use sand unless it is for the well being of your fish. Some species actually require soft sandy bottom.

Plants normally do not do to well in sand tanks. The sand becomes to packed for the roots to be able to freely grow.

Sand is very hard to keep stirred up and it's usually required to have MTS snails in the tank to help keep the sand stirred. Sand that sits and doesn't get stirred every so often tends to create pockets of anaerobic bacteria. These pockets can release a gas that can be fatal to your fish.

If you just prefer sand over gravel, and you know what kind of maintenance is needed, then there is no reason to not use it.

It's really just up to you.

Edit: Sorry I was logged on as ~Jamie~ my mate. She was last to use my computer.


Last edited by Shannen at 14-Mar-2005 07:32

Cool,

the reason I asked is because I was discussing cleaning some existing gravel I had in an old tank or buying some new and someone suggested sand. I was wondering about the merits of each. I probably will buy new gravel as I have an undergravel filter anyway I was just interested in the difference for future reference.


Leon

well, i like them both, i have light tan sand from outside in my 29, all my fish love it, my corys love digging their faces in it searching for food, and all my fish clean their gills out with it, it is a pain for the first few days, the whole tank is clouded, and i had to have my filter clean it up, but a few months later, i wonder what i woudld do without it in there, and in one of my 10 gallons i have white gravel, i love that too, but i used to like the blue in another 10 i have, but... not anymore one of these days (maybe this week) i am going t otake all the gravel out, probly end up giving it to my friend who has a little blue gravel, i havent gotten natural gravel yet, but the next tiem i remember to look () i will test that out too i guess it all depends on what u like, in my 29, i have 1/4 partially graveled and the rest sand, and my plants love it in there too

Personally I love sand! but as Jamie ...*cough* shannen ...pointed out it is difficult to maintain. Additionally it has been known to kill filters. Stick with pea gravel or aquarium gravel to begin with.

As for the UGF, I know you didnt mention it, but I'm just going to mention that they also require a great deal of care. You'll want to get a reverse flow powerhead as well as an additional type of filter. Hang on backs (HOBs) that handles about 500gph will be good. What will happen with the UGF plates is that they're designed to trap all the fish waste, however that waste must be removed at some point which is where the reverse flow powerhead comes in. Every other month, reverse the flow and allow the HOB filter to catch the waste then remove.

Or save yourself the trouble and not put the UGF's in there @all...they're really quite annoying to remove once a tanks been set up and running with them.

^_^
[hr width='40%']"I'm alright, I'm alright
It only hurts when I breathe"

I've always found sand to be hard to clean. at the moment i have a really fine gravel that looks like sand but doesn't get sucked up through the syphon when i use the gravel vac. go with what you like. no one is better than the other, just personal prefference

I have both, gravel in one tank & sand in another. Personally, i prefer sand, as it's more natural & my Corydoras love it aswell. To clean the sand, just keep the syphon, 1 inch above the sand & the dirt will be sucked up & the sand remain in the tank.




http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos

http://www.deathbydyeing.org/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

I have eels, sand is the only thing they get . And cleaning it isn't that bad. I have 60 lbs. of it in my 55 gallon and still manage to keep it clean.

i never have to syphon my sand my filter sucks all the waist up, the most u find on the gravel are shrimp shells, and my corys either burry them or when the move they bring them to the filter and it sucks em up i do have to syphon the 1/4 gravel area thouhg, but not often, because none of my fish realy like the gravel, it isnt oftne i will find a fish too close to the gravel, whn i remember where i put my other sand, i am removing the gravel, and putting in sand