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Is sand a difficult substrate? I may be getting a 48g and I would like to have sand instead of gravel. I want plants, but only low light plants like anubias and crypts. I will probably have a hob power filter so would the sand get sucked up by the intake? Is it hard to gravel vac? I have so many questions, sorry if its too much! :%)

*Kristin*

Sand is very good for some species of fish.

For plants I prefer a natural coloured 2-3mm substrate. The sand will compress and make it hard hard for the fine roots of many plants. It can also cause problems with some impellars.

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Keith

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Some people have had luck with crypts in sand, mine survived but didnt thrive. Sand by itself has no nutrients, and because it compacts easily it's difficult for any of the natural plant nutrients (fish poo) to settle down in it for the plants. Bad for the plants, good for you.

You dont do a traditional gravel vac with sand, instead you need enough water flow that the waste doesnt settle on the sand and what does you simply clean up with a sweep over with your vac.

I mentioned before that sand compacts. That'll often crush plant roots, so an aquascape with plants tied onto wood and rock rather than planted does better. Additionally sand that is deep will develop anerobic pockets of bacteria that is deadly to fish, and snails. After doing your gravel sweep, you'll need to gently turn over the sand. Run your fingers through it, or the handle of a cleaning tool. Malasyian trumpet snails are helpful as they burrow in the substrate like earthworms and help keep it turned, but once the anerobic pockets form they'll stay away or be killed by it just like the fish, also if the sands too deep they just wont go down there.

Sands a lovely aquascaping tool, but it does take extra attention to keep it looking it's best and not causing trouble in the tank.

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I also think that Gravel is better for live Plants. I personally have Sand & lots of Anubias tied with Driftwood & they are fine.

It's quite easy to clean, but you have to clean it more often, as the fish "poo" will stay on top of the Sand & it isn't nice to see.



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Ok thanks. I like the way sand looks, I just don't have the time to devote to cleaning it. I wondered if it was more time consuming than gravel. I do want live plants in the new aquarium. I may even upgrade the lighting for med. light plants, so I'll stick to gravel. I may set up a smaller aquarium with sand some day...just add it to the list of dreams I have. :%)[img src='/images/forums/halo.gif' border=0]

*Kristin*

I think you have made a good choice in using the gravel substrate.

Have a look in [link=My Profile]http://
www.fishprofiles.com/interactive/forums/profile.asp?userid=6741" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link] for my tank info

[link=Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tanks]http://photobucket.com/albums/b209/keithgh/Betta%20desktop%20tank/" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link]

Keith

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