To Sand Or Not To Sand? -Substrate.

[Fishflyer]

Is there any reason not to mix and gravel?

I would like to poll the members who read this post, if I may and see who prefers gravel and why, and who prefers sand substrates and the reasons. Also users of both substrates in either different tanks.

I have a SA tank and I used a Carib Seas gravel which is really closer to sand. I added 3" river stones on top at a few areas. My advice is to read up on the chemical nature of the substrate and consider if you want a planted tank. I love the sand I have. Works well with earth eaters, but not sure if it is adding to diatom blooms. My tank is 3 months old and I have to scrub off glass weekly. I have read that silica can influence this. (Pool sand bad).
Initially I was going to put in an Onyx sand but that raises PH.
In summary read up. Planted tank? I like the look of sand but opted for a slightly coarser substrate.
I think all substrates should be periodically deep cleaned. The eartheaters take care of the top.

Granted deep cleaning rotational basis. I don't recall planting in sand tank, because cichlid would have torn it out and up. My underwater gardens are in gravel or rounded agate mini pebbles.and bam bam. You want me to read some thing??? I thought that was what you sages in the archives are supposed to do and bottle feed it to us new feederfish. Kidding I search on the internet or my fish and aquarium books before I ask here. I had rather help someone out then be a burden. Some of these things I know and practice, but like other similar or dissimilar opinions. Thank you for taking the time in answering. I learned something new--from you, I did not know about Caribbean gravel. Thank you for sharing the information. I will check into Carribean gravel/sand. I am interested in Hawaiian Green Olivine and Black sand. I had heard it illegal to export. Don't know if that has changed. Thank you for the interesting information LBDave.

 

[Fishflyer]

I use a mixture of Black Aquarium and and pool filter sand.....I really like it. Many bottom dwellers require it.....or mud. I prefer sand. It is clean looking, easy to maintain and cost effective. My eel would be pissed without sand to bury in...What would my Geos do? .I have never had issues with toxic gasses or impellers in 30 years of fishkeeping.

So do you stir it? I haven't had a problem with impeller either that I know of, I did lose a filter. It was solid state Ebay buy and you couldn't it take apart now I take them apart and check. And I keep the intake a decent distance from the sand. What kind of Eel. Thanks for taking the time to lend your Sir.

 

[duanes]

Sand seems to be less likely to develop hydrogen sulfide pockets than gravel, because the large interstitial spaces between gravel bits allow detritus to fall between below the substrate surface. For me (PFS) keeps detritus on its surface, and is thus easier to vacuum off.
I realize some people don't like to see the detritus, but because I am anal about frequent water changes and vacuuming, I don't notice this. Those pockets and the detritus within, are also nitrate factories, so as my goal for nitrate is no higher than 5ppm, the vacuuming also fits into my water quality goal set.
When I first started using sand back in the 80s, I tried play sand, and found it to be easily stirred up by my cichlids, and in so doing, ruined impellers, and volutes my pumps. This was mostly ended when I started using PFS which is more dense and falls quickly before being pulled into filters.

On a purely aesthetic note, I find the random look of sand mixed with a small amount of pea gravel to give a very natural look. And prefer the neutral substrate look, as I don't want the substrate to in any way, distract from the fish or plants,

 

[Fishflyer]

So do you stir it? I haven't had a problem with impeller either that I know of, I did lose a filter. It was solid state Ebay buy and you couldn't it take apart now I take them apart and check. And I keep the intake a decent distance from the sand. What kind of Eel. Thanks for taking the time to lend your Sir.

I read as much as possible, I love fishlore, but sometimes I can't find the answers.

 

[punman]

I switched to sand for African cichlids 15 years ago and have never looked back. When I tore down my gravel tank I could not believe the muck that was left behind. Now when I tear down a sand tank, there is not much residue because more gets sucked into the filters with the muck resting on top.
I may have had to replace impellors on the hang-on-back filters a little more often because of the sand, but as was mentioned, I think switching to pool filter sand has lessoned that impact. Play sand worked fine and looked fine but it might be lighter in weight.

 

[Gourami Swami]

I use them both in different applications. There are pros and cons to both. The gravel does trap lots of poop, yes, but if you religiously vacuum it out once or twice a week it doesn't affect water quality at all. And probably lengthens time inbetween canister cleanings. Sand looks better usually IMO, but white sand really shows poop. So instead of it sitting under the gravel, it sits on the sand and you can see it. Sand also traps gas, but snails can overturn it for you, or you can do it manually during WCs. A mix of both seems to look the best to me.

 

[Fishflyer]

Sand seems to be less likely to develop hydrogen sulfide pockets than gravel, because the large interstitial spaces between gravel bits allow detritus to fall between below the substrate surface. For me (PFS) keeps detritus on its surface, and is thus easier to vacuum off.
I realize some people don't like to see the detritus, but because I am anal about frequent water changes and vacuuming, I don't notice this. Those pockets and the detritus within, are also nitrate factories, so as my goal for nitrate is no higher than 5ppm, the vacuuming also fits into my water quality goal set.
When I first started using sand back in the 80s, I tried play sand, and found it to be easily stirred up by my cichlids, and in so doing, ruined impellers, and volutes my pumps. This was mostly ended when I started using PFS which is more dense and falls quickly before being pulled into filters.

On a purely aesthetic note, I find the random look of sand mixed with a small amount of pea gravel to give a very natural look. And prefer the neutral substrate look, as I don't want the substrate to in any way, distract from the fish or plants,

What a beautiful and smart presentation Sir and I thank you for it. I have been in the hobby since the 70s, 1870s , so there. I am kidding, but seriously since the 1970s. But only used sand for a year...and I like. The way it was explained to me, that since the gravel has larger spaces between it less gas could get trapped. What is PFS may I ask. I have well planted tanks. Like your's. It isn't it great being being satisfied and proud of. I just have problems finding the waste in sand. Thank you for your information Good Sir.

 

[BichirKing]

pfs = pool filter sand. I use sand in all my tanks. if you have 2-3" of sand it really doesn't develop the gas pockets imho. I only had it happen that I know of in 1 tank years ago it had about 6" or so of sand and when it happened there was a rotten egg type smell that came up (not in a visible bubble) when I stirred the sand. I didn't lose any fish as I did a quick aquarium swap with them. this was in my first tank with sand. also I had a magnum filter that has an impeller on the bottom that sand got in and it actually cut through the housing and leaked all over draining my tank past the intake. no more of that style of filter for me. as for sand I usually use home depot play sand. next tank is going to have garnet blast sand for my pollys.

 

[Fishflyer]

I use them both in different applications. There are pros and cons to both. The gravel does trap lots of poop, yes, but if you religiously vacuum it out once or twice a week it doesn't affect water quality at all. And probably lengthens time inbetween canister cleanings. Sand looks better usually IMO, but white sand really shows poop. So instead of it sitting under the gravel, it sits on the sand and you can see it. Sand also traps gas, but snails can overturn it for you, or you can do it manually during WCs. A mix of both seems to look the best to me.

My problem is to find the waste in the sand is hard to find. But as you do, I like both mediums. Do you think plants can find nutrients easier in gravel or sand¿ Oh and what a great and clever name have o Great Swami of the Finned Ones who came before.

 

[Fishflyer]

My problem is to find the waste in the sand is hard to find. But as you do, I like both mediums. Do you think plants can find nutrients easier in gravel or sand¿ Oh and what a great and clever name have o Great Swami of the Finned Ones who came before.

Thank you Swami.