Gravel Vs Sand

[GlennLikesFish]

Hello everyone

What do people here use for their substrate? I'm soon to be setting up a new tank and i'm wondering whether it's best to use gravel or sand? Personally i prefere the look of sand, but am slightly concerned that it may be harder to clean, get caught in the filter etc. Also, will using sand affect the fish in any way?

Thanks for any advice

 

[heresmike]

Good question! I have one tank with gravel, and one being set up with sand. Sand looks soooo much nicer! I've heard that it's NOT more difficult to clean, but you just have to do it differently. That is, instead of sticking the vac into the sand, you would hover it close enough to the bottom to suck up the junk, but not the sand. So far, the sand is not being sucked up by the filter... the intake is 1 - 2 inches above the sand, and no problem. Keep in mind that I don't have any fish in the tank yet, so others may have a different story. For example, fish that like to dig, like african cichlids, might stir up the sand and cause a mess. I'm interested in hearing others' experiences.

 

[duendecillo]

I think fish that like to dig, will even like the sand better, some fish can get hurt if they rub against sharp gravel...
(feel free to say it if I'm wrong, I'm quite new to all this)

 

[GlennLikesFish]

I'd agree with that duendecillo. Do you think it would bother common fish such as guppies, platies, tetras etc? Also, a question for heresmike. Are you planning on using live plants in your new tank? If yes will you be using anything else other than sand to help them, maybe some kinda soil?

 

[heresmike]

I do have live plants, and am not using anything other than the sand. I'm kinda shooting from the hip, with this setup being my first journey into sand as a substrate. IMO sand would be better for plants than gravel, but I could be wrong!

BTW, I've heard from african cichlid keepers that they (the fish) love to dig in the sand.

 

[duendecillo]

my gups don't mind the sharp gravel, they don't like to swim at the bottom anyway.
but sand would be okay for them to guess...
about the plants, it couldn't hurt to put some nutritious soil underneath the gravel for the plants...

 

[Adrinal]

I had a stigma against sand since I was young. I guess it always seemed like... how the heck would I clean that out. Now that I have been doing salt water for a few years (and I got the larger crushed coral substrate, but WISH I had sand).

I realize
1) sand is cheep SO WHAT if a little gets sucked out ;P (kids play sand is fine for tanks and cheep at the HW store).

2) Sand holds poo on the top where as gravel lets the crud fall down deep. ( huge factor here).

3) lots of diggers do indeed like sand better it seems.

4) light sand black background... classic.

 

[heresmike]

Agreed ... sand is so cheap! I got 50 pounds, more than enough for my 29 gallon, at Menard's for $1.44. Can't beat it

 

[thecichlidaddict]

I like sand because
- it looks the most natural
- super cheap to buy
- fish that interact with the substrate love it
- it's clean, waste sits on top rather then sinking in

I like gravel because
-it is easier to vacuum
-waste sinks in, becoming invisible

 

[nightlife20]

i have both a gravel tank an a sand one mu opinion


1) gravel stores crud sand dosnt

2) sand needs to be prodded every now an again... gravel dosnt

3) fliter lifts crud off sand easy.... cant on gravel unless on full power an fish flounder in high speed water..



much prefer my sand tank... thinkin of turfin out gravel an addin sand to my 3ft one

 

[GlennLikesFish]

I'm sensing that sand is the more popular option here! I'm so glad! Hehehe

 

[mr_br0kn_drmz]

can you use sand in a FW setup?

 

[SirMinion]

can you use sand in a FW setup?

Of course!

Sand looks wonderful and is cleaner.

With the addition of cory cats and/or trumpet snails (not ramshorns) the sand will get turned over regularly too.

Some fish, like my Banjo cat, like to bury themselves in the sand when they sleep, resulting in a happier and therefore healthier fishie.... can't do that with nasty cold gravel!

 

[drobbins27]

I think ill try it out. My only problem is: When the fish touch it, doesn't it make the water cloudy?

 

[Bol]

When the fish touch it, doesn't it make the water cloudy?

I don't use sand (yet), but I would guess that most of the particles that are fine (light) enough to cloud the water get taken out when you rinse the sand before putting it in, or within a few days after setting up the tank.