Sand Or Gravel?

[lon1000]

Hi guys,
trying to work out what to get in my new 55 gallon tank, sand or gravel? was looking at the black tahitian moon sand.. but somebodies just told me sand messes up the filters and causes them to break quickly.. is that correct, or just somebody who's setup the intake on their filter too low and sucked up some sand?

want to try with some live plants also if that has some bearing on what i get..

advice?

rgds
chris

 

[clinton ><>]

i would go for sand ive nevr heard of it doing damage to he filters are any part of an aqarium

 

[Lhutch]

sand is way better,looks better to, if u ask me

 

[SnBMeg]

As long as you're prudent about where and how low you put the filter intake, the filter(s) will be fine. If sand does get into the filter it can gunk things up and wear things down, so if it does get in, shut the filter down asap and clean it out. But as long as you put it somewhere out of the way and not too low, you shouldn't have any problems.

Plants will grow very well in sand.

 

[kewskills]

sand is i think the best especially black sand

 

[n3ont3tra]

Sand is the best, fish like it, IMO it looks way better, and it's easier to clean.

 

[Lorna]

Sand is far better, looks more natural and with gravel, debris is more easily stuck in it causing tank pollution

 

[backtotropical]

I'd go with sand. Looks better etc. Gravel tends to be better for live plants, but many sand aquariums have flourishing plant life too.

 

[RiiCKYOMD]

I rushed ut to buy gravell.. rgeretting it now

sand is betetr looking plus better on ottom feeders.. sharp gravel could hurt em or be very unpelasant

 

[toppman]

sand is i think the best especially black sand

iv been looking at black gravel becuase i think it shows colours of the fish off better, do you know where to get some cheaply, like argos do that play sand, but is there a place to get cheap black sand?

 

[darrene]

i like black gravel and would also like to know of where i can get some on the cheap

 

[lon1000]

hi guys,
so sand it is then.. how much will i need? looking at CaribSea Tahitian Moon Black Sand, but its £15 per 20lb (9kg).. how much will i need for a 55 gallon tank (100cm x 40cm)?

if i want to grow plants do i need to put anything underneath it?

thanks
chris

 

[toppman]

get argos play sand, i couldnt believe how perfect and cheap it is.

edit: just saw you want black sand, my apologies

 

[lon1000]

hi,
actualy thinking about getting play sand.. i think i prefer the look.. and also the price!

but how much?

hmm..

 

[nurglespuss]

I went to pets at home and picked up a bag of black sand for £8 that was big enough to give a 1inch depth in a 24X12X12 tank, plus after you have washed it the remaining grains are quite heavy, and dont even fly around too much when filling the tank :> I have an ario 1 running in sand, and the only problem I have is that I have to clean the sponge quite often.