Sand In Aquariums

[blcknwitecuban]

i have a 29g and it currently has gravel in it but i've heard that fish appricate sand more than gravel and i was wondering if theres any difference with it, and how 2 clean it and any advice on keeping an aquarium with sand. also would u say fish like sand more?

 

[chibi]

It's very hard to convert gravel to sand in an established aqarium. I wouldn't suggest it. I've had both. Gravel is a lot easier to clean. I like gravel better. I don't think fish care much about the gravel.

 

[blcknwitecuban]

its not set up yet tho. its just sitting there. im looking 2 get some corys and i've heard they love sand

 

[Underwurlde]

That's right. Use rounded sand with Cories. Do not use gravel.

Pinned Sand Topic: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=71597

Andy

 

[Kribster]

I work in the lfs, and in the few tanks that have sand we do get gas build-ups, and i have seen catfish - corys, plecs, any catfish in there - unearth this and get a shock, plus the gas is usually a nitrate derogative (mainly harmful gases) that do not help the generall fish health. Plus you have to dredge the bottem of the tank, you cannot sigphon it cos you lose the sand. If you have a powerful filter system the sand gets disturbed and you could find that some plants get buried or there are sandbanks building up in certain areas.
If you are prepared to deal with the problems sand gives, then it is good and all bottom feeders like it, so long as there are smooth rocks in the tank. If you just want to be different then my advice would be to have a graveled tank, with perhaps one corner or patch of sand.

k

 

[dmarie04]

I've never switched over from gravel to sand, but I set up my 29 gallon and my 65 gallon with sand. Make sure you give the sand a good wash before you put it in. Make sure that it's only about an inch to inch and a half deep. When you do your water changes poke around in the bottom to make sure there aren't any little pockets of gas (my cories keep my sand turned well, so I've never had any problems with that). To suck up debris off the bottom you'll swirl your gravel vac just above it and it will suck it up. It takes a little practice to get the debris and not a bunch of sand, but it's not terribly hard. Honestly, I recommend sand to anyone that is setting up a new tank. It looks more natural and bottom dwellers love it. My panda cories are absolutely adorable sifting around in the sand

 

[blcknwitecuban]

would my MTS help keep the sand stirred? i have tons of them

 

[dmarie04]

would my MTS help keep the sand stirred? i have tons of them

I've read that they do keep a good job of stirring the sand. I don't have any myself, though.

 

[dthoffsett]

would my MTS help keep the sand stirred? i have tons of them

Yup, they do an excellent job of keeping the sand stirred.

 

[blcknwitecuban]

yay. thank you. i'm sure my future corys will enjoy a sandy aquarium

 

[NutMutt]

I set up my 30 gal with 2/3 gravel on the left side and 1/3 aquarium sand on the right side. It makes a nice effect.

As far as cleaning, I brush just 1/2 an inch above the sand with a gravel vac as not to get sand particals in the syphon valve. The vac does a great kob of pulling up the residual dirt when I make a back and forth motion like sweeping. I have never noticed my 6 corys or 1 pleco bury themselves deep enough to disturb the sand much. Then then to plop down and lay there without brushing away the sand.

Now I just set up this tank back in Janauary, so I am not aware of any long term -if any- probs down the road.

 

[wayne_stone]

I had gravel in my last tank but have since set up a tank using sand. I love it as do my pepperd corrys and plec, It is higher miantenance than gravel but it's worth it in my opinion

 

[blcknwitecuban]

im going 2 get juhli or panda corys, a school of tiger barbs and possibly some kribs or just a dwarf gourami... sounds good?

 

[Maxta]

It's very hard to convert gravel to sand in an established aqarium. I wouldn't suggest it. I've had both. Gravel is a lot easier to clean. I like gravel better. I don't think fish care much about the gravel.

I agree. I stressed a young albino cory cat by doing this and the day after he died. Best to place them in a seperate tank whilst u do it i think. Getting new tank thursday so there'll be no gravel in that, only sand.

 

[NutMutt]

im going 2 get juhli or panda corys, a school of tiger barbs and possibly some kribs or just a dwarf gourami... sounds good?

I like Gourami. Have 4 of them myself (2 snakeskin, 1, blue, & 1 gold). Lost the dwarf, however. I heard/read then are problematic not matter how well the water conditions are kept. Have a pair of Kribs. Just like their rep, Kribs are agressive little/big Africans, so they tend to boss the Goouramis around. Just a short jab now and then w/o nipping, nothing like they are chasing the Gouramis around the tank or anything like that. So the tank is peaceful -as of now...