Rocks or Sand?

[Cblake007]

i was in petland today and was looking for some rocks for my FW tank and a lady that works there told me that i should use sand instead she said that it would not hurt my FW fish and that it is actually better for most fish

is this true or should i just stay with the rocks??????

 

[??SLEEPY??]

What type of sand is this again??

 

[haynchinook334]

it all depends on what you want your tank to look like, i use pool fiter sand.

 

[Bllib]

What do you like? I have both rocks and sand. I prefer sand although its a bit maore of a pain to clean.

 

[Cblake007]

well it actually didnt really matter to me what i put in there i was just more worried about my fish and there safety i didnt want to put sand in a FW tank if its going to hurt them i didnt know if the lady at petland was just telling me this so i would buy it because they get commision or what you feel me? lol

 

[benzjamin13]

If it's the live sand, then don't get it for Freshwater. Get pool filter sand (clean it heavily), it's a lot cheaper.

 

[DasArab]

Normal sand wont harm your fish, but the areobic pockets that can build up will. Dont buy the cheap stuff, but aquarium grade sand and you wont get problems with areobic pockets.

 

[mercury904]

I use river sand,I strain the big stones

 

[Cblake007]

well crap i bought the suposedly high grade Aquarium sand for my freshwater tank and its kinda clumpy how can i fix this?

 

[loganh83]

Normal sand wont harm your fish, but the areobic pockets that can build up will. Dont buy the cheap stuff, but aquarium grade sand and you wont get problems with areobic pockets.

The pockets are "anaerobic." This happens when oxygen levels decrease to a point where aerobic respiration (bacteria using air to live) ceases. Certain bacteria then begin anaerobic respiration which releases toxic chemicals into the water. Over time and with enough organic matter hydric soils and anoxia may occur. Aka a swamp, lol.