Which Substance Will Be Better?

[barb218]

I've had my 90L tank since November now. The current stock is 2 penguin tetras, 5 tiger barbs, 8 neon tetras and 4 corydoras.

Recently the sun has been out more and although it's only visible from my tank for a short period of the day, there is lots of algae on the gravel.

So my question is, which is easier to clean sand or gravel? And will either one be less affected by this?

 

[phoenix2081]

Sand is easier to clean due to the fact that any fish waste or food that was not eaten will lay on the top. This makes it easier to vac as you just run the gravel vac lightly over the top about 1cm away from the surface of the sand.

Gravel all depends on the thickness of it. Large gravel allows waste and food to get between the gaps requiring a deep vac every couple of weeks. I may be wrong on this but I changed from white gravel which had algae on it terribly but now my sand doesnt. This has left me to the conclusion that it is easier for algae to grow and attach to gravel due to the surface area, but like I said that is my observation and could be wrong. I am sure some one will correct me if I am.

It is really a personal preference though. Only YOU know what you like and what you want and it all depends on how much time you are willing to give to cleaning your tank.

Could you reposition your tank out of the sun so to minimise any direct exposure? Or put up some blinds?

Hope this helps

Mitch

 

[iantaylor]

Gravel is easier to clean as you can use a gravel cleaner, you can use it on sand but it could block the gravel cleaner,
Either will be affected
i have the same problem in my Discus breeding tank, but my tank is is in my spare bedroom

 

[barb218]

Oh yes I forget to say, I will have some blinds soon but we've just got new windows so Ive Been waiting for some.

 

[barb218]

And if I changed to gravel, how would I do it?

 

[phoenix2081]

Turn off all equipment.
Empty all my water and put my plants into it.
I then added the fish to the bucket.
Drained the rest of the water.
Emptied all the gravel.
Cleaned the inside of the tank just for good measures.
Put new sand/gravel in.
Filled with water, make sure heat is as close as you can get it to what the tank was.
Treated water.
Turned equipment back on.
Put in all plants / Ornaments.
Put in fish.

Have a look around for gravel vs sand. But in my personal experience I find sand easier to clean.

 

[barb218]

When you put the new water back in does it have to be the same as taken out? And how big would the bucket have to be to put the fish in?

 

[phoenix2081]

What do you mean by the same? I put new tap water in (not the water I had removed), treated it with seachem prime or w.e dechlorinater you have. The majority of your beneficial bacteria is in the filter media and not the water gravel so you don't have to worry about putting new water in too much.

I had 2 angels, 6 cardinal tetras, 2 corys, 2 frogs and 4 mollys in a 20 L bucket but it was only for 1-2 hours.

 

[Tonyb111111]

Gravel is easier to clean as you can use a gravel cleaner, you can use it on sand but it could block the gravel cleaner,
Either will be affected
i have the same problem in my Discus breeding tank, but my tank is is in my spare bedroom

You shouldn't be sucking the sand up the syphon when cleaning. Cleaning muck off the sand is generally done by moving the syphon in a circular motion about 1cm above the substrate, all the poo gets taken away and the sand stays where it is. You may lose a tiny bit but this stays in the bucket if you empty it gently. After about 6 months, give the accumulated sand in the bucket a clean with tank water and put in back in the tank. This is what works for me.

 

[CezzaXV]

Your cories will much prefer the sand. Gravel also has the potential to damage their barbels.

 

[JL94x4]

Please see my thread..

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/391545-my-journey-of-the-substrate/

Don't make the same mistake i did!

 

[Aqua Tom]

Sand all the way, Easier to clean, looks better & is kinder to corys & cats.


Tom