Sand, Gravel or maybe both??

[repsolblade]

Hi guys, I have bought a small starter Aquarium(if you can call it one lol), 60L, size 60cm*30*35. I am not sure what fish to stock with at the moment but that also has a bearing on my topic question.
I would like to use fine Sand with gravel if this is possible, purely for asthetic reasons and I was wondering if it would be ok to use sand with tropical rather than saltwater fish? Will it cause the fish I choose problems etc, would I have to choose fish carefully in that respect, ie; will the sand cause them problems? And also, because it's only a small tank I couldn't/wouldn't want overly large fish anyway! I have seen tropical with sand but I don't want to mess up first time out! My appologies if this has been asked before, please feel free to slap!!:nutkick:

 

[jpappy789]

Both work fine separately but together the sand will sink under the gravel and it can get compacted...

 

[repsolblade]

Thanks for that, I would prefer to use sand. Any ideas on the easiest ways to wash sand before putting in tank? I mean, gravel quite easy to wash in collander etc, but sand??? lol

 

[jpappy789]

This works for pretty much all sand...

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cleaning_sand.php

btw, I do recommend pool filter sand

 

[repsolblade]

Thankyou so much for that, A very simple technique by the sound of it! will give that a go tomorrow. Really apreciate your help.

 

[jm1212]

pool filter sand is a very good choice.

personally, i would pick either or. you may be able to find a fine-grained gravel that has a smaller grain than regular gravel but is bigger than sand. it will give you the best aspects of both...

 

[msjinkzd]

Another thing to be aware of is that when using sand in freshwater tanks it needs to be routinely stirred or disturbed in order to disrupt the formation of anaerobic gas pockets. This can easily be done by attaching chop sticks to the gravel vac with rubber bands to stir during your siphon. Best of luck!

 

[jm1212]

and MTS

 

[repsolblade]

Another thing to be aware of is that when using sand in freshwater tanks it needs to be routinely stirred or disturbed in order to disrupt the formation of anaerobic gas pockets. This can easily be done by attaching chop sticks to the gravel vac with rubber bands to stir during your siphon. Best of luck!

Hmmm, I was wondering about that too, thankyou. Thinking on, If I disturb the sand what effect will that have on my filter? Should I rinse the filter out after vacuming, just a rinse? The filter is an elite stingray 15, which after inspection is quite easy to dismantle and clean! Not sure about this as don't want to disturb if I don't need to and stop it doing it's job. Thanks

 

[Rbishop]

I use Quik-Crete play sand. A little more cleaning up front but for $3.50 per 50 lbs.

On my last two tanks I never even washed it.

I would recommend turning the filter off while siphonong and let any disturbed sand settle before turning it back on. The sand can affect some filters and damage the impeller.