Gravel or sand
- Thread starter Kamdavid
- Start date
I prefer sand. Just because it looks more natural and it’s easier to clean IMO. I have play sand in all of my tanks. It looks really good and it’s pretty cheap. 
Play sand as in go to Home Depot , buy the playboy sand , and use that ?I prefer sand. Just because it looks more natural and it’s easier to clean IMO. I have play sand in all of my tanks. It looks really good and it’s pretty cheap.
Omg. Not playboy lol. Play box. *thanks siri*
I prefer sand over gravel because it look more natural and looks good on aquascape.
Yes...
Play sand from Home Depot or Lowe’s is perfect for tanks. It’s safe for kids to eat, which means it has to be safe for fish.
Just make sure you wash it really good before putting it in your tank. It’s pretty cheap if you think about it. 50lb of sand for $5. That’s a killer deal. (Opposed to other aquarium sand 10b = $20+)
BDBS is known to have sharp particles in it...
If the OP was planning on having cories or plecos, this would not work.
I agree, if the OP wants cories or pleco, gravel would work more.BDBS is known to have sharp particles in it...
If the OP was planning on having cories or plecos, this would not work.
AbbeysDad
Fish Gatherer
I'm a fan of pool filter sand. The particle size is better to promote permeability. I find that often play sand is just too fine. I changed to PFS in my 60g planted tank (see avitar) over 8 years ago. With Cory's and Malaysian Trumpet Snails I have never needed to clean or disturb the 4" layer of sand in any way. I use an Eco 396 submersible pump for water changes.
I know that others swear by play sand and I tried to use it for another tank but when I bucket cleaned the 'fines' (dust like particles of sand) were so great, I gave it up. So play sand, or at least some play sands, contain very fine sand making them difficult to 'clean'.
I know that others swear by play sand and I tried to use it for another tank but when I bucket cleaned the 'fines' (dust like particles of sand) were so great, I gave it up. So play sand, or at least some play sands, contain very fine sand making them difficult to 'clean'.
First off, pool filter sand is way more course than play sand is. (This can be bad for cories or plecos)
Secondly, you probably didn’t fill the tank up with tap water and then drain it did you? You must do this to remove all of the fine particles. Then you can fill it back up with regular tank water, no problem.
AbbeysDad
Fish Gatherer
Well first grasshopper, the grain size of pool filter sand may be ever so slightly more course than fine play sand, but offers nearly perfect permeability for water penetration/circulation (which is why/how it works in the pool filter). My cories have been living large for over 8 years! (btw, there are those that have cories on gravel).
And second, I was cleaning the sand in a 5g bucket outdoors with the hose as I always do.
To the original question Kamdavid...what fish do you intend or want in this tank? Substrate fish such as a group of Corydoras, or a group of loaches, will restrict you on the substrate options, so it is best to decide this.
Second, the Fluval Stratum is an issue. Fish that dig may have issues with this, so again depending upon the intended fish, this may or may not work.
Generally speaking, sand is a better substrate than gravel. However, if you want tyo replicate a Central American or Mexican stream, gravel up to pea grain size is authentic and very workable. But you would not have loaches or cories in such a tank. But in general terms, sand does provide an excellent plant substrate, it does look natural (aside from the afore-mentioned, almost every stream and creed in Tropical areas has a sand substrate, but never use white), and it visually makes the tank space seem larger. Not all sand is suitable, this again depends upon the intended fish.
Second, the Fluval Stratum is an issue. Fish that dig may have issues with this, so again depending upon the intended fish, this may or may not work.
Generally speaking, sand is a better substrate than gravel. However, if you want tyo replicate a Central American or Mexican stream, gravel up to pea grain size is authentic and very workable. But you would not have loaches or cories in such a tank. But in general terms, sand does provide an excellent plant substrate, it does look natural (aside from the afore-mentioned, almost every stream and creed in Tropical areas has a sand substrate, but never use white), and it visually makes the tank space seem larger. Not all sand is suitable, this again depends upon the intended fish.
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