sand or gravel

[puffer with big pointy teeth]

Does any one know if GSP prefer sand or gravel? I am getting a new tank for him and did not know if there is a preference or not. I currently use gravel but kind of wanted to use sand in the new tank. If ok to use, what are some pros and cons about sand?

 

[CFC]

Green spotted puffers are brakish fish

Most fish preffer sand over gravel IMO, gravel is a very unnatural substrate in the wild and can hamper natural behaviour such as digging and burrowing in the aquarium.

 

[puffer with big pointy teeth]

sorry i did not know which one i should post it in

how do you keep the sand clean? since no invertebrates can live with them.

 

[subopposite]

I have sand with my puffers. I cannot tell if they like it or hate it, but I don't see them complaining too much. Good thing about sand IMO, is that all the food and poop doesn't get stuck in cracks and forever lost building up ammonia. With sand, everything seems to stay on top and it easy to see.

One thing with sand too, is that you may need to lightly stir it up now and then since anarobic bacteria can build up in the sand through trapped bubbles or something like that.

All in all, I started my tanks with all gravel and now they are all sand and I am positive it will stay that way in the future.

 

[Discomafia]

JUst buy some MTS. They'd work in a BW tank right?

 

[Puffer_freak]

No, don't. They might not get eaten, but they will break you puffers beak!

 

[Aquascaper]

I have a GSP and he did have sand but now has gravel........why you ask? Well, after you've fed them 'meaty' food a few times you'll realise how much crap builds up on the sand

Also, if your tank is midly brackish with sand then banjo catfish make a good clean up crew. There's no danger of them getting nibbled as they hide during daylight, only coming out at night to hoover up leftovers. I had some but they were moved into my community tank (which is sand) when i changed to gravel.

 

[SirMinion]

I have a GSP and he did have sand but now has gravel........why you ask? Well, after you've fed them 'meaty' food a few times you'll realise how much crap builds up on the sand

But the crap is still there, you just can't see it.

I'd rather have it where I can see it and remove it easily.

 

[Zombies]

When I was buying substrate for my GSP tank the employees at the LFS strongly discouraged me from useing sand. I had planned for sand but they told me it would just be a mess, get in the filter and generally not a good idea so I settled on very fine gravel.

I'm not sure why they were so insistant, everyone else seems to be successful useing it.

 

[Aquascaper]

But the crap is still there, you just can't see it.

I'd rather have it where I can see it and remove it easily.

True, but with 4 other tanks to clean as well "out of sight, out of mind"

On a serious note, I don't neglect the tank and would say that if gravel is used and not sand you have to be more vigilant with testing water quality as the crap is still there.

 

[sanguinarydragon]

mine uses sand and i think the only real advantage is it looks like a comfertable place for him to sleep at night instead of bumpy rocks