I hear a lot of people saying that sand looks better in the aquarium. I am wondering if one is better than the other for the aquarium in terms of some functional aspect? Biological filtering? aeration? water quality? ease of maintenance?
Sand or gravel, which is better?
- Thread starter red devil
- Start date
I have one tank of each and personally I don't see any significant pros or cons for either.
In terms of bio-filtering I believe gravel provides more space for bacteria but I am not 100% sure, and I don't think it makes a huge difference anyways.
I also think both gravel and sand can produce dead spots that harbor anaerobic bacteria, although it is much more common with sand but can be prevented with regualr maintenece.
Water quality shouldn't be an issue as long as either substrate is rinsed properly (sand usually takes a little more work though).
Gravel is portrayed as easier to maintain, especially with gravel vacs, but with sand a quick hover of the vac over the surface should take care of it as stuff is less likely to sink through sand anyways. On the downside, poop will be more visible with sand. Also, if the grain is big enough, little to no sand should be sucked up the vac.
Personally, I think choosing subtrate usually comes down to personal preference.
In terms of bio-filtering I believe gravel provides more space for bacteria but I am not 100% sure, and I don't think it makes a huge difference anyways.
I also think both gravel and sand can produce dead spots that harbor anaerobic bacteria, although it is much more common with sand but can be prevented with regualr maintenece.
Water quality shouldn't be an issue as long as either substrate is rinsed properly (sand usually takes a little more work though).
Gravel is portrayed as easier to maintain, especially with gravel vacs, but with sand a quick hover of the vac over the surface should take care of it as stuff is less likely to sink through sand anyways. On the downside, poop will be more visible with sand. Also, if the grain is big enough, little to no sand should be sucked up the vac.
Personally, I think choosing subtrate usually comes down to personal preference.
apples and oranges...... both are fine. both work out great. only down side with sand is it can get in the filter and should me mixed up from time to time.
Mgamer I find your picture repulsive as you know, you should die, as for substrate red devil you should also consider what kind of bottom fish you have, loachs, catfish, cichlids, will all love you for sand. Dead spots releasing sulfur gases can really kill a bunch of fish and make you clean the whole thing out, and new substrate. You might want to consider a small plenum beneath the sand, or way better , have critters that sift though the sand, you will just need to be careful how think. Also sand and roots aren't such good friends since the roots need Oxygen.
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i got around the whole lack of oxygen to the roots thing by putting in an RUGF with a 1.5 inch thick layer of medium gravel on top. i poured the sand in on top of the gravel. hopefully this will also keep pockets of toxins from forming in the sand.
Please explain to me in what ways it could possibly be better if you tried to put gravel under sand?
I dont have sand in any of my tanks. I too was thinking of switching to sand myself and have recently started reading some of the posts talking about the subject. I have read several posts about gasses accumulating underneath. I was just thinking that maybe gravel underneath would allow more circulation while a thin layer of sand on top would allow less resistance for the gasses to escape. The gravel might also allow plants to get the airation they need. Just a thought. I didnt want to sound like an expert on the subject.