Gravel vs. Sand

qquake2k

qquake2k

AC Members
May 3, 2006
121
1
16
Northern California
Hi All,

I have heard that coarse gravel accumulates waste and dirt. Is sand any easier to clean? Is sand better or worse for cories and loaches? What kind of sand should I use? Is playground sand from the local home improvement store okay to use? If so, does it just need to be rinsed first, or should it be boiled?

If I wanted to change an established tank from gravel to sand, what is the best way to go about it? Should I move all the fish to a temporary tank first?
 
I actually just switched out the gravel for sand in my 65g. I love the way the sand looks in my 55g, and decided that I should suck it up and do it in the 65g. Some people move all their fish, some people don't. A couple days before I did the switch, I did a very thorough vacuum. The day I did the switch I did a super thorough vacuum until I have about 50% of the water out of the tank. I moved plants, rocks, driftwood to one side of the tank, scooped out the gravel, then switched sides. I just used sand box (play sand) from home depot. It's cheap, looks good, but does require quite a bit of rinsing to get all the dust out. To put the sand into the tank, I just used the same scoop I used for the gravel, and gently scooped it into the tank. did the same half and half thing with my plants/decorations again. Oh, and I did turn my filter off until I had my tank all filled up again. Because I rinsed the sand super well, there were no issues with cloudiness or anything. I mean, the whole thing is rather tedious, but seriously, I hate having to catch my fish.
 
Pool filter sand works great! It is heavier than play sand and does not make a cloudy mess or get picked up by gravel vac when I do water changes.... My cories LOVE it and I am certain loaches would too.
 
They Say Pool Filter sand is a better option and it down mess up your filter and normal sand can cause damage to your filters
I havent experienced any of this as I have never tried it but if it works for u then I suppose quake u can try it too
 
Pool filter sand all the way! its heavy enough not to get it suck up by the gravel cleaner, its cleaner and you dont have to wash it as much, and it looks good. I use it in all my tanks.

I take most large things, and sensitive fish out for safety and convenience, but not all of them.

you dont have to boil it

Be careful if you are using fertilizers, sometimes it can cause an algae/diatom bloom and the water will get cloudy. My suggestion is not to use fertilizers until a few weeks later after putting in the sand.

I have lots of loaches, and they love the sand, they can bury themselves, and sift through it. I dont like gravel because it gets so dirty in between the stones.

(This might not be the best advice, but about a week ago I aimed my power head a little south so that there is a slight current on the sand and the small plant particles arnt settling on the sand anymore, and my sand it very clean looking now, doesnt seem to be moving any of the sand yet. I also have LOTS of plants in there, and sometimes the small plant particles get trapped in corners and things, but with gravel it was like 100 times worse. )
 
I have a bad tendency to overfeed (a mother of 4 that always has to make sure everyone - even the fish- get ther share! LOL) When I had gravel the excess food would slink down inbetween and be near impossible to vac out, with the sand - if I do overfeed, it sits on top where I can see it and vac up as necessary. I will NEVER have gravel again...........
 
There is a whole article on sand in my blog for more information.

I use Estes' Marine Sand. It requires no cleaning and everyone I have talked to who has had problems with sand had used cheapo/non-aquarium sands. For about the same cost as gravel I think actual aquarium sands are worth the extra money.
 
I used Pool Filter sand in my 90Gal. and it is Awsome! I did not have to rinse it AT ALL! It did not cloud my tank the least little bit! It is soooooooo easy to Vac as some have said-any food or poop just lays on top to be removed very quickly. Of course my cories would never let any food sit for any length of time LOL. Also they LOVE to sift it and play in it-soooo much fun to watch. I can't tell you how happy I am that I went with sand!
Hope this helps 8^}
 
I think in 10-15 years gravel with be looked at like UGFs, old school with only a couple of old-school people still using it.
 
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