To sand or not to sand?

[vanalisa]

I just read that some of my fish, the Peacock gudgeons, prefer sand.
Any info about sand substrate would be helpful.

 

[Slaphppy7]

IMHO, sand > gravel substrate....gravel holds detritus, sand holds nutrients...gravel has to be deep-vacuumed, which can be a PITA...with sand, just swirl and siphon the surface of the bed

And you don't have to buy pricey "aquarium" sand, either

I use this in 2 of my tanks, around $6 for a 50# bag...inexpensive, inert, looks great, no pre-cleaning necessary, and grows plants just fine

Quikrete 50 lb. Pool Filter Sand 115350 - The Home Depot

Quikrete 50 lb. Pool Filter Sand is a properly graded and dried sand. It is designed to be used in swimming pool filtration systems. This pool filter sand also features a tan color.

www.homedepot.com

 

[Slaphppy7]

Good to see another fellow Texan here, BTW...

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I would go with play sand if I were you. (Same brand)

Pretty much the same stuff, except it’s a finer grain.

 

[Slaphppy7]

PFS I linked above, in my 29G, sorry for the poor quality, tried to show grain size...

 

[Colin_T]

I just read that some of my fish, the Peacock gudgeons, prefer sand.
Any info about sand substrate would be helpful.

I kept mine on fine gravel that was 2-3mm diameter. They were fine with it.

If you want to use sand, go for it but gravel works just as well for gudgeons.

 

[vanalisa]

Good to see another fellow Texan here, BTW...

Yeah, where else do you go from
7° - 70° in one week ! ? !
Freaky Dallas.

 

[vanalisa]

IMHO, sand > gravel substrate....gravel holds detritus, sand holds nutrients...gravel has to be deep-vacuumed, which can be a PITA...with sand, just swirl and siphon the surface of the bed

And you don't have to buy pricey "aquarium" sand, either

I use this in 2 of my tanks, around $6 for a 50# bag...inexpensive, inert, looks great, no pre-cleaning necessary, and grows plants just fine

Quikrete 50 lb. Pool Filter Sand 115350 - The Home Depot

Quikrete 50 lb. Pool Filter Sand is a properly graded and dried sand. It is designed to be used in swimming pool filtration systems. This pool filter sand also features a tan color.

www.homedepot.com

Sand holds nutrients? Please explain how so compared ro gravel.

Also, gravel versus sand for live plants.

 

[vanalisa]

PFS I linked above, in my 29G, sorry for the poor quality, tried to show grain size...

I like this size of this, does it come in a darker colour?

 

[vanalisa]

@PheonixKingZ
@Slaphppy7

So same company, one is
play sand and one is pool filter sand, with play sand of a finer texture?

I've seen some nice black-ish aand on here, soes anyone know what that kind is?
Although I should see what they have in New Guinea in their normal environment.

@Colin_T
Was your gravel "Pet store aquarium gravel"? Fancy? Plain?
I didn't know you had Gudgeons? Peacock?

 

[itiwhetu]

I like gravel as it allows water circulation, and that with plants they have an easy time to develop roots.

 

[vanalisa]

I like gravel as it allows water circulation, and that with plants they have an easy time to develop roots.

Those were my reasons for not going with sand. I was afraid of the "gas" pockets and didn't know how my lo-tech plants would do...

 

[itiwhetu]

Those were my reasons for not going with sand. I was afraid of the "gas" pockets and didn't know how my lo-tech plants would do...

I really don't like sand in fresh water aquariums. Fine gravel is ok 3-4 mm in diameter

 

[Colin_T]

@Colin_T
Was your gravel "Pet store aquarium gravel"? Fancy? Plain?
I didn't know you had Gudgeons? Peacock?

Plain natural brown gravel that we bought from a company called Cook Industrial Minerals in Jandakot. We bought it from them and bagged it up at the shop to sell to customers.

There are a number of different gudgeons with the peacocks being the smallest. I had those and in different tanks I had Mogurnda mogurnda. They are mostly from Australia and New Guinea.

Gudgeons lay eggs in a cave (I used pvc pipe and half ceramic flower pots on their side) and the males usually look after the eggs.

 

[vanalisa]

Plain natural brown gravel that we bought from a company called Cook Industrial Minerals in Jandakot. We bought it from them and bagged it up at the shop to sell to customers.

There are a number of different gudgeons with the peacocks being the smallest. I had those and in different tanks I had Mogurnda mogurnda. They are mostly from Australia and New Guinea.

Gudgeons lay eggs in a cave (I used pvc pipe and half ceramic flower pots on their side) and the males usually look after the eggs.

Oooo, thanks @Colin_T !
I had PVC ready and sanded down smooth, but I like the idea of clay pots better. I've been planning for the group I have for a while. I wonder if regular clay pots are safe these days? I have several but all have plants or dirt from old plants inside.
I have Blue-eyed Forktail rainbows (6), which I am pretty sure came from a pretty specific area in Papua New Guinea-as I think they all do. I think the Gudgeons I have are from New Guinea, as well. I am putting them in the same tank. I was considering Threadfins for the tank but I think you pointed out a temperature issue. If so, and they are a good fit, I will put rhem with my WCMMs.
I was looking at Empire Gudgeons-only because they are neat-I think they are endangered.
There is a cool video of the Aquarium Co-op guy and he was interviewing a Rainbowfish expert (Lange?). It was great video with all sort of beautiful fish. He was making the distinction between the Australian and others.
Would you like the link?