Sand versus gravel

[Star_Rider]

all substrate has it's place.
it's all a matter of preference.

I have sand, gravel, flourite and ecocomplete.

I also have planted tanks using all the above.

my favorite is flourite mixed with gravel(fine)

 

[Vicious_Fish]

All my current aquariums have gravel but I would like to start another sand substrate tank in the future.

 

[Dazzla]

Is sand fine for bottom dwellers such as a Plec?

 

[FSM]

yes

 

[Lupin]

I tried both. Here are my observations.

Sand
Pros:
1. Much easier to clean as the wastes are lighter than sand.
2. Makes it easier for most fish and invertebrates to burrow around.
3. Friendly to fish with delicate barbels.

Cons:
1. If I change my mind on rescaping tanks, sand is a pain to remove.
2. Becomes compact easily and becomes potentially dangerous if it binds and forms anaerobic pockets. For this reason, you need to stir it or rely on your trumpet snails to do the job for you.
3. Can damage powerheads if the powerheads are turned on while the sand has not settled completely yet.

Gravel
Pros:
1. Allows oxygen to penetrate through plant roots much better.
2. Easier to remove if you change mind rescaping the tank.
3. Much easier to rinse around unlike sand before setting it up.

Cons:
1. Pain to vacuum around as the wastes are trapped.
2. Most fish choke on gravel easily although this rarely happens.

 

[roscoe70]

Not meaning to hijack the thread but is sand hard on cories and their barbels?? Thanks.

 

[Lupin]

Depends which sand you use, Roscoe. Just make sure you don't use blasted sand which has sharp edges that could sear their barbels.

 

[roscoe70]

Have always used substrate(Eco) at present and did not know. Thanks much.

 

[zpromoter]

I tried both. Here are my observations.

Sand
Pros:
1. Much easier to clean as the wastes are lighter than sand.
2. Makes it easier for most fish and invertebrates to burrow around.
3. Friendly to fish with delicate barbels.

Cons:
1. If I change my mind on rescaping tanks, sand is a pain to remove.
2. Becomes compact easily and becomes potentially dangerous if it binds and forms anaerobic pockets. For this reason, you need to stir it or rely on your trumpet snails to do the job for you.
3. Can damage powerheads if the powerheads are turned on while the sand has not settled completely yet.

I second this, I love my sand but my convict love to spit sand into the intake on my filter. He already broke a Penguin 200 HOB filter. just make sure that you run a sponge filter to be safe