GRAVEL VS. SAND

[Savier808]

I'm starting a new tank and want to use sand for some bichirs and a geophagus "eartheater"

I've heard its really difficult to clean sand with a gravel vac b/c it sucks up the sand...

Any other cleaning suggestions? Is sand even worth it???

 

[Toby_H]

This has got to be the most beat to death topic available... Most people with ample experience have already shared everything they've got to give...

Why not just read one of the other 10,000 threads with this topic?

 

[jschall]

This has got to be the most beat to death topic available... Most people with ample experience have already shared everything they've got to give...

Why not just read one of the other 10,000 threads with this topic?

Too late, this thread is here to stay. It's a poll, which means people will feel compelled to vote and explain their answer, and argue with other people's votes and explanations.
See you on page 100.

 

[sostoudt]

i like the look of sand but for very large fish i think anything except a thin layer is a bad idea due to cleaning, so i voted bare bottom.

i dont think you should do gravel as i think i remember a couple threads about bichirs swallowing gravel and it hurting them

 

[Poklei]

yeah no gravel for bichirs, sand is harder to maintain, but looks cooler. if you gonna do sand dont get to thick of a layer as it would cause a lot of waste build up under it, i usually clean my sand like every 2 months but it gets dirty fast.

 

[MPLSdunk]

i keep sand in my tank, a thick layer too. never had problems with it i can vacuum it fine because it's pool filter sand. i just pinch the hose for a second if it gets close to being sucked up.

if i had a bigger tank though i would def just do tile and put a bunch of wood in there and be done with it.

 

[tcarswell]

I miss the gravel in my bichir tank But its safe for them.........

 

[Natural_Born_Killer]

This has got to be the most beat to death topic available... Most people with ample experience have already shared everything they've got to give...

Why not just read one of the other 10,000 threads with this topic?

very true....

 

[Lupin]

Compilation-Substrate: Its Pros and Cons, Problems and Solutions, Cause and Effect

 

[sostoudt]

Compilation-Substrate: Its Pros and Cons, Problems and Solutions, Cause and Effect

some important words i want people to notice in that thread, is maintained, maintenance and aerated. if you dont do these your sand bed will probably turn bad like people warn you about. personally i dont think many FW people will do this, i know i wont regularily, i didnt even do it adequately in my reef tanks and when i took it down the stuff i found in it was what smelled like sewage and looked like mud, irritated the hands a bit too.

if you think you will skip the maintenance i would go thin on the sand bed