Gravel Or Sand Dilema

[in2media]

ive been looking around the site since i joined the other day and seen a few set ups with sand at the bottom of the aquarium rather then gravel
now i was chatting with my local shop and got on about sand versus gravel and i mentioned i'd like to change mine to sand as it looks a whole lot better then gravel
the guy was rather amused by this although he did agree it looks better he stated that its harder to keep clean.
so my question is
whats the best way to clean sand once its in the aquarium?
any help appreciated

 

[soybean]

It is easier to clean than gravel as the waste and debris settles on the surface rather than sinking into the gravel.

The advantage of this is you can see where you have cleaned and ensure you get it all.

To remove it, simply use a length of clear tubing like would be connected to a gravel vac head (just take the head off your existing one if you like) - you just hover the end over the surface of the sand, make little swirling motions, and it will suck up the debris. No need to burrow it in. If you did suck up any sand it can simply be rinsed and put back into the tank.

Edit to say: If you have decent filtration and flow rates, a lot of the waste will either get dealt with by the filter or it will at least mostly settle in one place in the tank, making it even easier to remove all of it. Bottom feeders like corys etc will also keep it stirred over and moving.

Yes, it makes the waste more visible but if anything this encourages regular vacs and water changes - the amount of waste that disappears into gravel to fester, even in the most thoroughly vacuumed tank, can be quite surprising.

 

[in2media]

thanks for advice soybean. if i go with live plants. (ive tried a few times but lost everytime) do i need anything under the sand or do i just use straight sand?
also is any aquarium sand ok even coral or marine sand etc?

 

[soybean]

Many people use regular old play sand from places like Argos, Homebase, supermarkets etc. This is incredibly cheap and soft enough for bottom dwellers. It needs a LOT of rinsing until it is perfectly clear and dust free, but then it can be added to the tank. I have tesco playsand in the tank in my signature. It cost me about £5 for two large bags - and I only needed one.

Coral, marine sands etc will affect your ph. The best thing about playsand is it's inert - it won't affect the ph.

Inert aquarium sands are available and are often paler/whiter - but are also much more expensive.

Plants can grow in sand, but depending on whether they take their nutrients from the water or the roots depends on how you add fertilisers, eg root tabs, liquid, etc. Also depends on lighting etc - maybe ask in the planted section, plants are my nemesis as well. I can get them to grow but I'm in an endless battle with algae at the moment.

I switched to sand from gravel a few months ago and have excellent root growth in the plants with only liquid ferts.

Very rare that I ever see a post from someone who regrets switching to sand!

 

[fishprotector]

As already has been said, sand is easy to clean by vacuuming across it about an inch above its surface. The only disadvantage to sand that I can think off is that plec poop stands out a mile on it (although for cleaning purposes this makes it easier to remove).

 

[soybean]

As already has been said, sand is easy to clean by vacuuming across it about an inch above its surface. The only disadvantage to sand that I can think off is that plec poop stands out a mile on it (although for cleaning purposes this makes it easier to remove).

Exactly - the disadvantage is only visual, the advantage is it's easier to remove, which can only be a good thing.

If you can cope with a bit of visual waste instead of it hiding in the gravel, go for it.

 

[Spurry]

I was going with gravel as this is what i no and is easy to clean with a vac, but i went for sand this time around
i find you just have to be a bit gental cleaning the sand nothing to it realy just a different technique...

 

[in2media]

thanks all for the great advice, il let you know what i decide