Top Reasons To Use Sand Over Gravel

[fatheadminnow]

Sand does look really nice, but I prefer the look of dark gravel. (although now i've said this someone will say you can get dark sand!)

You know, you can get dark sand. I had to.

Yup, I got black sand.



-FHM

 

[mancin]

Yup, I got black sand.



-FHM

Me too. I'm just being a brat.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Yup, I got black sand.



-FHM

Me too. I'm just being a brat.

-FHM

 

[simonas]

I always used sand till last summer when I go gravel.

it got on my nerves so changed back to sand a couple pf weeks ago

I find sand easier to plant plants in and easier to clean

 

[markandhisfish]

i used to use gravel but changed to sand and id never use anything else looks so much nicer a doddle to clean ( just hover gravel vac about 1cm above surface) opens up more stocking options ( since getting sand i was able to have earth eaters corys love it . not bothered about planting as my sevs dont give the plants a chance anyway lol.

 

[lizc]

I like the look of the sand in my bigger tank & my kuhlis like to dig tunnels under the wood , but I hate the fact that my clumsy algae scraping means the sand has scratched the glass in several places when it gets in the scraper .


Liz

 

[pie]

How's sand with silvertip sharks,pictus cats and raphael catfish???

 

[thewindowwoman]

I put a little cotton bag over the end of my gravel cleaner (the end the water comes out of) and catch the sand. I actually vacuum up the top layer with the poo. It catches in the bag and the water flow through. You then wash the sand and put it back. Its really easy to wash, put it into a bowl, pour in water, stir it up, the sand sinks first and pour away the poo. Like gold panning. I use the bag which came with a battery powered grave cleaner which sand ruined. Just a normal syphon now!

Put back clean sand! It looks great. So much better than gravel.

 

[pie]

Fish can't dig in gravel.

tell that to my dead goldfish. one day i came home and saw aa black dot on his stomach. it was gravel

 

[Oscar Betta]

Sand-
More natural
Better for bottom dwellers

Gravel-
Easier to clean
Better for plants

 

[drobbyb]

I went from gravel to sand and back to gravel. It can be problematic and unless you have corys to keep the top layer turned, it is unsightly after a few days due to algae (of course if you are lucky enough not to grow algae this isn't a problem.) Gravel simply hides it better.

 

[holidayinn]

Prefer black gravel, hides the crap, easy to clean and doesnt get trapped in the algae magnet.

 

[aly_starh]

Advantages: good for cories
nice look
cheap


Disadvantages: hard to clean
can see dirt
filter gets clogged

 

[The Other Lebowski]

if you want to have one of the cutest fish in the world - corries - then sand is a must. looking at them how they plow through it like wild boars through mud, i can't even imagine what they would do if there was gravel. especially the smaller corries.

 

[Wills]

I have gravel at the moment but I want earth eaters in my upgrade so going for sand. I think if I didnt have fish that needed sand I would get gravel for ease of cleaning. Because of my cichlids I cant plant like normal community tanks but Im planning to have patches plants surrounded by decor and under that I will have gravel so the plants benefit.