spursmaddave Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 A friend is trying to perauade me to put sand instead of gravel in my aquarium has anybody got any experience of the pros and cons of each... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 I would of thought that cleaning would be the issue here - sand = change the sand every time - gravel = agitate / remove / clean and put it back in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 sand looks pretty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beavis Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 A friend is trying to perauade me to put sand instead of gravel in my aquarium has anybody got any experience of the pros and cons of each... Dont tell me your not a member of an aquarium forum? There is a big wide world out there Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisS Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Sand for marines gravel for tropical. Bacteria in the gravel helps keep the water clear of poo by breaking it down. Bacteria don't do so well in salt water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SX Dave Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 I've recently changed to sand a month or so ago and re aquascaped the whole tank. I think it looks much nice but cleaning can take a little practice. It's cheaper too. Lots of people use Argos playsand it's only a couple of quid a bag compared to silica. I'm glad I made the change. Going to change my second tank to sand soon as well ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KC350Z Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Sand for marines gravel for tropical. Bacteria in the gravel helps keep the water clear of poo by breaking it down. Bacteria don't do so well in salt water. +1 in marine you have live sand full of things like snails and worms that break up the crap and acts as part of your filter but if in tropical the nitrates would build up as sand not being shifted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMT Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 sand looks pretty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 A friend is trying to perauade me to put sand instead of gravel in my aquarium has anybody got any experience of the pros and cons of each... Tbh I think he is having you on. I'd stick with water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnH Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 How about getting coloured sand and making a picture in the bottom of the tank? Black and White checks maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 If you put some sand in, you will need to make a Beach for this . . . http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12242018&lmdn=SHOP+FOR&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInCA%2FNo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flex Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Sand is a lot finer than gravel, the fishies might choke on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 I've recently changed to sand a month or so ago and re aquascaped the whole tank. I think it looks much nice but cleaning can take a little practice. It's cheaper too. Lots of people use Argos playsand it's only a couple of quid a bag compared to silica. I'm glad I made the change. Going to change my second tank to sand soon as well ;-) This is what I was planning, sand is actually easier to clean apparently because the crap sits on thd top of it instead of going inbetween the gravel, the biggest drawback from what I can make out is that it is harder to keep live plants.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SX Dave Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 It's just getting it so you don't syphon a load of sand up. Also the sand should be stirred up every so often as gasses can build up. Also because of the gravel containing plenty of bacteria it's a good idea to check levels after the change. I kept a load if gravel in a pair of tights to help with the bio load. Also run an extra filter for a while before the change too so extra filter media for bacteria to populate. What fish do you keep Dave? Mine are new world cichlids, clever little buggers too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 I have a mixed tank, well 2 tanks a 46l and a 250l I bought 2 tanks last year and inherited all the fish too so have quite a collection I won't be changing just yet but good to know someone that has a bit of info, you will have to pop in next time you go to Kaisers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SX Dave Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 I need to stop going to kaizers! My bank balance doesn't like it. Mind you it's not his rates it's the things I buy for him to fit! I need to get along to a meet too. It's F-ing stressful changing it all! Catching fairly large quick fish is a nightmare. If you want any advice or even a hand give me a shout buddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironhide Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 I use sand in my tropical aquarium, i think it's called Silver sand. It's easy to clean, though it's not as fine as say sandy beach sand. It does have some grit in it but looks so much better and easier to fit ornaments in and hold plants as it's got some weight in mass. It's just the front where the bed meets the glass sometimes over time it builds up algae but a quick shift and it's clean again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bounty Bar Kid Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Just do this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMT Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 I want that soooo much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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