Tropical fish substrates

[tiggerfish]

I’m just starting a new aquarium and I’m looking for substrate ideas. I’d like to have some sand in one corner. Can I use regular play sand? Thanks for any advice.

 

[fishorama]

I prefer pool filter sand. I tried play sand from a big box store. It was dirty, unevenly screened for size & compacted after a short time even with a shallow layer, ~1 inch. I removed it in a few weeks.

It will also depend on the fish you'll keep & if you'll have live plants. I've never tried the "sand area" but have read it almost always gets mixed together with the finer sand under the larger substrate no matter what sort of barrier you use.

I'm sure others have had different experiences, see what they say.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

I prefer a course sand or fine gravel substrate in my tanks as I find live plants do really well in it. I also choose a dark colour over light because the fish feel safer against it and will show off more colour, at least they do in my experience

 

[tiggerfish]

I prefer pool filter sand. I tried play sand from a big box store. It was dirty, unevenly screened for size & compacted after a short time even with a shallow layer, ~1 inch. I removed it in a few weeks.

It will also depend on the fish you'll keep & if you'll have live plants. I've never tried the "sand area" but have read it almost always gets mixed together with the finer sand under the larger substrate no matter what sort of barrier you use.

I'm sure others have had different experiences, see what they say.

Thank you

 

[tiggerfish]

I prefer a course sand or fine gravel substrate in my tanks as I find live plants do really well in it. I also choose a dark colour over light because the fish feel safer against it and will show off more colour, at least they do in my experience

Thank you

 

[Colin_T]

play sand is fine for corydoras

don't mix different types of substrate because they end up mixing and making a mess. just use one type only