The-Wolf
Ex-LFS manager/ keeper of over 30 danio species
There are many questions on the sand V's gravel debate.
It is really a question of personal choice, although your fishies needs
must be taken into account. Corydoras, for example like sand as they constantly sift through it looking for food.
The different types of sand are aplenty but it really is a question of what you like the look of and what your budget will allow.
For freshwater tanks avoid coral sands, unless you have a need to raise the Ph (Chiclids etc). Beach sand is not a good choice for freshwater tanks (or IMHO saltwater tanks) due to the high levels of salt and possible pollutants contained within it.
Sand comes in many colours and grain sizes. Here are a few of the common types
Play sand
Pool filter sand
Silica sand
Aragonite sand
Thaitian moon (black)
Gravel also comes in a plentyful range of sizes and colours, for egg scatterers you might want to use a 10mm or bigger size gravel. Most aqurists tend to use pea gravel (4-9mm).
Here are some of the different types and natural colurs available.
Pea gravel
10mm (flint)
14mm
18mm
20mm
Anything above 20mm is not classed as gravel but as pebbles, this could also be used as a substrate.
Nowadays you can buy gravel and sand that has been coloured, if you like it then go for it, personally I think these look horrid but someone will like them.
It is really a question of personal choice, although your fishies needs
must be taken into account. Corydoras, for example like sand as they constantly sift through it looking for food.
The different types of sand are aplenty but it really is a question of what you like the look of and what your budget will allow.
For freshwater tanks avoid coral sands, unless you have a need to raise the Ph (Chiclids etc). Beach sand is not a good choice for freshwater tanks (or IMHO saltwater tanks) due to the high levels of salt and possible pollutants contained within it.
Sand comes in many colours and grain sizes. Here are a few of the common types
Play sand
Pool filter sand
Silica sand
Aragonite sand
Thaitian moon (black)
Gravel also comes in a plentyful range of sizes and colours, for egg scatterers you might want to use a 10mm or bigger size gravel. Most aqurists tend to use pea gravel (4-9mm).
Here are some of the different types and natural colurs available.
Pea gravel
10mm (flint)
14mm
18mm
20mm
Anything above 20mm is not classed as gravel but as pebbles, this could also be used as a substrate.
Nowadays you can buy gravel and sand that has been coloured, if you like it then go for it, personally I think these look horrid but someone will like them.
