Sand or Gravel

[swede]

i'm going to be setting up a mbuna tank sometime this summer and I'm curious what people think would be better for substrate: sand or gravel. Either way, i will have plenty of rock caves/formations.

 

[Jamieishard]

i vote gravel i hate sand i bought a ton of new sand and ended up throwing it all away...its just a hot mess lol...i just think gravel is easier to keep up and it doesnt get sucked up in your filter...i had to replace my impellers a couple of times..but its all a matter of personal opinion...

 

[swede]

good point.... with all those rocks on top of it, i would have a hassle cleaning sand

 

[velanarris]

Why not just go with a fine grained gravel? All the benefits of sand without the drawbacks.

 

[SaltyCrak]

I don't have any issues with my filters sucking up sand. I guess it depends on what sand you use. I've got pool filter sand and it looks very cool.

 

[indiana.dutton]

Pool filter sand looks realy good.

 

[swede]

ive never used sand, but i dont wanna fill a mid sized tank with it and hate it

 

[Pharaoh]

Sand all day long!

 

[chen]

I just set up a new tank...was going bare bottom but decided to put in black estes gravel...then added some white gravel....then I hated it after spending the money on 3 bags 22lb gravel...I've now emptied the tank and put in natural looking (Beige/brown) Estes gravel and added some wood...and I finally like the look. I'm getting some WC P13 Rays so wanted them the tank to look as natural as possible...still in the work but didn't consider sand at all...not sure why!...but thought it would be easier to clean. This time I only bought 1 bag of 22lbs gravel...enough just to cover the bottom that's it....this tank is approx. 180gal at 4x3x2 High and is meant for rays...I might venture out and grab a small Red Arrowana after a couple of months...we'll see how the money holds up....

So....I'd go with coated gravel if it was my tank!

 

[Lucky Toman]

gravel, easier upkeep,