Large Gravel, Small gravel or Sand?

[FaulkFish]

Hi all, I am new to AC but I have already found a lot of good info. I am setting up a new 29 gallon freshwater tank (rena filstar XP2 filter), my first tank ever. We are trying to decided what substrate to go with. We like the larger gravel as well as the sand, but we're not sure about the pros and cons of the three options.

Which is easier to maintain? Which do you like better?

Thanks!

 

[kjr928]

Welcome to AC and congrats on your first tank!

I don't know of many people who use large gravel. I believe most people use small gravel - I do. I think that using small gravel is average substrate for average fish. You move into a sand substrate if you're getting some kind of fish that likes to lay on the bottom and is sensitive, like a zebra pleco.

I've never had a sand bottom before, but I imagine it's more difficult to clean because each grain of sand can get sucked up in the the syphon during water changes, whereas gravel (even the small ones) and large enough and heavy enough to not get sucked away. I think you have to be more careful when you have a sand bottom.


I may not be 100% correct on all this, but that's what I believe and go by. I recommend you get a small gravel substrate.

 

[H3D]

What kinds of fish do you plan on getting?

 

[TimmyB42386]

i personally like sand. Keeps poo and other things out of the substrate and in the filter.

 

[FaulkFish]

I'm not sure yet what kind of fish. gouramis, tetras, mollies...????

 

[Sammie7]

Take a look on this site for fish that you like and then come back and ask us if the ones you like are compatible with each other and your tank. http://www.aquahobby.com/e_gallery.php

 

[yourchoice]

I have gone to buying 12 x 12 inch natural slate tiles for about 3 bucks each and using them for a good portion of my bottom.

 

[barthur33]

I have gone to buying 12 x 12 inch natural slate tiles for about 3 bucks each and using them for a good portion of my bottom.

I've done the same thing. Actually, I have medium size gravel, but two large slate pieces go on top of that. It makes it easy for my ACF's to find their food, therefore making the tank ALOT cleaner!

 

[Aun]

FaulkFish, choice sequence from best to poor: small gravel > big gravel > sand. Sand is not good as it may be sucked into the hang-on filter and make the impeller stuck. Plus sand can get very dirty.
http://tipskey.com/petting/freshwater_aquarium_starter_guide.htm

 

[Sammie7]

FaulkFish, choice sequence from best to poor: small gravel > big gravel > sand. Sand is not good as it may be sucked into the hang-on filter and make the impeller stuck. Plus sand can get very dirty.
http://tipskey.com/petting/freshwater_aquarium_starter_guide.htm

I seriously beg to differ. Sand is cleaner than gravel, because it doesn't have an infinite amount of gaps between each grain that let food and poop fall beneath it and accumulate. I remember when I had gravel that I would hit these nasty pockets of what would look like thousands of dust particles coming up into the gravel vac from the gravel. I never have this happen now.

If you have a good sand that does not have too small a grain size, you shouldn't have to worry about it getting kicked up and into the filter or clouding the water. This is why I wouldn't suggest playsand, because it is so fine.

Compared to sand, gravel is terrible. How's that for a statement?