Sand Or Gravel?

[Batmanjay28]

Right now in my 29G tank I have about 2 inches of gravel. My tank is completely cycled and has fish in it. I have 4 corys in the tank and heard that it's better to have sand in the tank to protect their mouths. So should I take out all the gravel and put in about 2 inches of sand, or just leave the gravel in the tank. And if I do change out the gravel won't I lose a lot of good bacteria on my gravel. Won't that be a problem?

 

[evelester]

i would like to hear the answer as well, I am not going to sand, but would like to switch out my gravel for another color or even clear marbles. I do not have a 'under gravel filter' if that makes a difference. thanks for asking this! (sorry I dont know the answer either - I am learning too LOL)

 

[xoedusk]

Most seem to think that the nitrifying bacteria are located in your filter media. That is, the sponges and whatever else is in your tank filter.

But just to be 100% sure that nothing bad happens, try slowly removing the gravel over the course of a week. This will allow your filter to grow any bacteria that may be taken out by the removal of gravel. After all of the gravel is gone, add sand.

I've not tried this, just an idea.

 

[crazie.eddie]

It depends on the size of the gravel. I have a gravel substrate on my 125 (US) gallon tank. The gravel is smaller than normal gravel, but a little larger than pool filter sand. Therefore, my cories do not have a problem searching the substrate for food bits.

If you still intend to switch to regular sand, you need to make sure your filter is protected against granules of sand entering. This could damage the impellers. To protect it, you can use a pre-filter spong over the filter intake. Of up switch to pool filter type sand, then the sand is a little heavier and thicker that it is less likely to get sucked into the filter. Although, you should rinse the sand, since the smaller pieces could.

Regarding the benificial bacteria, you can slowly do the transition slowly as xoedusk suggested. Maybe put a plastic divider so you the gravel and sand do not mix.

 

[mantis147]

I used to use both gravel and sand mixed togather because I had corys and the used to have a dig in that no problem. Also i thought if you mix sand with gravel it will help plant roots, as they may struggle to stretch their roots in thick sand.