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I was thinking of using sand AND gravel in my first tank, a 55 gallon.

My thought here is using a 1.5 inch strip of clear plastic to keep the two somewhat seperated. I realize that, no matter what I do, there will be no way to keep them completely seperated. The sand would be placed in the front of the aquarium. It would be only on one half of the tank and I would bend the plastic to give the line between the two a more natural look.

Has anyone done something similar? What are possible pitfalls that I might run into? Any other advice about this will be appreciated too.

Regards,
Ketso

People have done this with moderate success. They use some type of barrier to separate the two as much as possible. Barriers can look more natural, like rocks and driftwood, and a less linear, more realistic looking border. Bottom feeders, loaches and cats, can and will move gravel around.

Good luck in your pioneering ways

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

if the two do mix (which im certain they eventually will) you will find the sand sinks underneath gravel.. not quite the look you intend to have..

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Truth doesn't always win friends but it influences them

Hi,
As was said, eventually something will happen and the
edges will become blurred as the fish push the sand over
the edge into the gravel, etc.
Many have used your clear plastic strip idea and softened
the plastic to make the strip irregular and more natural
appearing rather than a smooth curved (arced) or completely
straight border between the two. Once the piece is formed
then they will silicone rocks and sand in-between the rocks
to it to make the border appear even more natural.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I tried using black gravel (regular size) in the back part of my tank, and fine blue gravel (almost sand sized but a tad bigger) in the front of my tank...after one whole day I decided to mix all together. I'm not a big fan of different color gravel in the same tank though so I'll probably go buy another bag of black gravel and mix it with the other so it will have more of an overall black color to it.

Are you planning on planing the tank?
If so, plants in tanks dont seem to like sand. Sand packs tightly and makes it difficult for the plants to root.
I did have a tank that was sanded at one time. It was an African Cichlid tank. When I go to bed the sand would be flat and smooth. Wake up, and the sand would be pilled into a corner.
This goes to show that no matter what your intentions are, the fish will do what they please and may even mean redecorating the tank for you.
Good luck!

"There is also a Clown Pleco in this tank some where. I am telling you, HE IS IN HERE."