sand or gravel

[scotty]

hi there just wondering what you people prefer using in your tropical tanks
sand or gravel,would like to give sand ago,but would like an experts opinion.
regards scotty

 

[Griz]

I really prefer sand, but a lot depends on your fish. If you have fish that like to dig, gravel may be a better choice.

 

[scotty]

where's the best place to buy the sand in the uk,scotland if possible

 

[The-Wolf]

B&Q; Homebase; Argos; weyvale garden centers
all of those carry paly sand aka silver sand.

 

[scotty]

is there any particular way i have too clean it??

 

[KentBlokey]

Put sand in bowl, bucket, tub. Smaller amounts at a time I found is easiest.

Run a tap, hose into it, zhuzh the sand up with your hand and let the water take all the nasties out. Let it run clear. Voila!

Then go HERE

 

[jflowers]

is there any particular way i have too clean it??

Well!

Just put it in a bucket and run water into it, stirring now and then. When it runs clear, its good to go.

I got a 25kg bag of play pit sand from homebase for £2.09, very nice it looks too.

Jon

[EDIT: KB Beat me to it]

 

[KentBlokey]

And me not knowing you could use play sand, bought it from the LFS and paid £4 per bag!

How gutted was I?

 

[jflowers]

Well, I decided to change to sand and visited the lfs and worked out I would need four bags for just one tank at £4.95 each. Looked on here and saw play pit sand was mentioned so looked in homebase and there ya go, a saving of £18. [EDIT: and I still have enough to do two more tanks.]

Jon

 

[KentBlokey]

Well, at least I know better for next time eh!

 

[keane]

sorry to hijack ) but.....

.....are there any +'s/-'s to using sand rather than gravel or vice versa?

i think sand gives a great look in a tank from looking at the pics on the forum but is it not a pain in the ass to clean etc?

with the gravel I just use a vac and the stones drop back down to the bottom. guessing this wouldn't happen with sand.

i have cories (4 at the moment but getting another group very soon) and a CAE. what do they prefer?

thanks in advance

tbr

 

[jflowers]

Cory's prefer sand by a long shot. When vacumming, just hold the syphon a few inches above the sand and move down till the poop comes up, it will come up befor the sand and you will soon get the hang of it.

Jon

 

[keane]

Thanks again Jon!! (wisdom also received in a different post!)

you are officially my adopted for the day. lol

tbr

 

[KentBlokey]

Even if Sand starts to go up the tube, just kink the hose and it'll fall straight back down.

 

[scotty]

thanx ebody,will just have to sort of borrow my daughter's new bag off playpit sand!