I heard that sand is not good for your aquarium, that it diminishes oxygen because it's not as porous as gravel and that a lot of people have problems with aquariums with sand. I personally rather have sand because I think it looks better, but if it depletes oxygen or causes health problems, I don't think I'd want to get it. What do you guys think.
Is sand good for you aquarium?
- Thread starter jay733
- Start date
i have sand in my tank. well 2 inch sand with gravel on top. i am going to be taking it down just cuz i am sick of looking at it. dont get me wrong it looks nice i just want something new. there seems to be a few people on here with sand in their tanks. my tank is fine and never had any problems with it.
I've had two sand tanks for a long time now and never had a problem with unexplained deaths (fish turning blue and knocking on the glass). If anything, I think the sand is easier to keep clean than gravel. But then again, that could be just my perception.
I have a couple of tanks with sand and have had no problems with any of them. One of the tanks has 3 cories in it and they keep that sand very tidy ! I highly recommend cories for tanks with a sand substrate !
Sorry, but I think you have been missinformed. Sand is fine for your tank and many people have sand in there tanks, including me. I have never heard of any problems with oxygen levels because of sand.
Hey, Sting, maybe he's referring to the anaerobic pockets? And I think I've read several posts that they're not usually a problem? Esp. when using Malaysian Snails? I'm probably wrong . . . :huh:
if waste from the fish gets into the sand and gets decomposed by anaerobic bacteria, it can form pockets of methane that can escape and kill the fish. however, there are some simple ways to prevent this from happening.
1: lots of plants. the plant roots growing through the sand will soak up excess nutrients and break up pockets before they can become dangerous.
2: Malaysian Trumpet Snails. these are asexual snails that burrow through the sand during the day and basically do the same as the plants, burrowing and disrupting pockets before they can become dangerous. these snails can reproduce out of control, but just don't overfeed your fish and keep the tank clean and their population will remain at reasonable levels.
3: coat hanger. straighten out a coat hanger and run the tip through the sand. this will break up the anaerobic pockets and cause minimal diruption to the sand (it won't all go flying around and clog your filters)
otherwise, sand is a great substrait and my plants love it. they are doing very well, and my fish are perfectly healthy.
1: lots of plants. the plant roots growing through the sand will soak up excess nutrients and break up pockets before they can become dangerous.
2: Malaysian Trumpet Snails. these are asexual snails that burrow through the sand during the day and basically do the same as the plants, burrowing and disrupting pockets before they can become dangerous. these snails can reproduce out of control, but just don't overfeed your fish and keep the tank clean and their population will remain at reasonable levels.
3: coat hanger. straighten out a coat hanger and run the tip through the sand. this will break up the anaerobic pockets and cause minimal diruption to the sand (it won't all go flying around and clog your filters)
otherwise, sand is a great substrait and my plants love it. they are doing very well, and my fish are perfectly healthy.