Gravel Vs Sand

[SirMinion]

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

...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.

Exactly correct.

Even when my banjo is buring himself any sand he throws up just falls straight back down.

 

[babyfish]

Sand,sand,sand, every time!
Your plants will grow
Your fish that like to search the substrate for food will be so much happier
It is easy to clean, simply get a small bore syphon tube and hoover 1-2 cm above the sand,If you hoover some sand up don't worry about it you can put it in a covered bucket until you have enough to make it worthwhile washing it before you put it back in the tank or as it is so cheap simply replace it.
Place your inlet filter pipes at least 3 in above the substrate.
Most sand that is kicked up will just fall straight back down to the bottom.

 

[GrullaQuarters]

Interesting post for me, as we have gravel in our FW tank, and food gets buried in the gravel.

If I were ever to switch to sand, what would I need to do? Ok, so I learned the play sand is fine....and I learned it still has to be rinsed (like gravel does) before putting it into your tank. Rinsed how? I used a kitchen strainer for my gravel....certainly wouldn't work with sand!

And how would I change the gravel to sand in my 75 gal tank? Would I need to move the fish to another tank (and cause stress) or can I do it with them in it? And would the tank need to be cycled again?? I have been wondering about sand....and glad the poster brought it up, because I just had not yet. I would love to see some pics of your sand bottomed aquariums too!

I use a python to do water changes and vaccum gravel...I could still use this, only keep it a good distance above the sand bottom?

Thanks

 

[heresmike]

To wash it, I put some of the sand in a low plastic tub, about 18" X 12" X 6" high, ran some water into the tub, swished it around, drained out the water, repeated 'til water was fairly clear (about 10 times per tubful).

I'm going to switch my graveled 36 gallon tank to sand, and plan on transferring the fish out to another tank before doing it. I think they'd get way too stressed if you try the switch with them in the tank.

The bacteria in your filter is what keeps the tank cycled ... as long as you only have it off for a short time, you should be ok. Sure, there is some bacteria in the gravel, but not as much as in the filter.

I also think the python would be ok as you described.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

o wash it, I put some of the sand in a low plastic tub, about 18" X 12" X 6" high, ran some water into the tub, swished it around, drained out the water, repeated 'til water was fairly clear (about 10 times per tubful).

A standard 5 gallon bucket works equally well.

 

[nightlife20]

A standard 5 gallon bucket works equally well.

too true, even tho it takes longer... at least u get excersize and u get to do it bit by bit

i did mine with a normal 10litre bucket that used for water changes, filled it halfway with sand rinsed an stirred 3 times (somtimes 4) and placed it nicley in my tank (with crys from my daughter of 'ewwww mum why are u puttin poo in ur tank!!!)



if i had to go back in time to start over agin... not only would i have some info, but id defo use sand from the begininng