Sand or Gravel?
- Thread starter SoundCity
- Start date
I like a mixture but it depends on the fish, the filter and the keeper.
Some fish burrow or sift in the sand
I wouldn’t use sand with Fx6 filters
Some fish burrow or sift in the sand
I wouldn’t use sand with Fx6 filters
folks will chime in -i have limited experience with those - have my 1st jag currently- this lil 5”er can dig like a mofo -
i have been thinking putting him in my large gravel tank -
gl!
i have been thinking putting him in my large gravel tank -
gl!
I had a Midas that would excavate large amounts of sand and continually spit it into my air stones on each side of the tank...which would go right into my overflows. Sadly, most of my sand would then end up in my sump...funny but infuriatiing. He enjoyed it...but I didn't. Now, I am thinking tile or heavier gravel would of been more ideal lol.
Because most Parachromis are consummate diggers, and tank redecorators, whatever you use will need to be heavy enough to quickly fall back to the bottom.
If using sand, Pool Filter Sand fits that bill, its dense enough to be backwashed.
Play sand or other light weight sands will tend to drift with water flow, and get sucked into filters and can be destructive to impellers and the like.
Below is a video I took in their natural habitat, for tank-scape ideas.
If using sand, Pool Filter Sand fits that bill, its dense enough to be backwashed.
Play sand or other light weight sands will tend to drift with water flow, and get sucked into filters and can be destructive to impellers and the like.
Below is a video I took in their natural habitat, for tank-scape ideas.
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Ive mostly used sand but will be using gravel for my Oscars when the new tank comes as they like to dig, plus when they get a bit excited or grumpy sand is flying all over the place and in to the filter. I think sand looks nicer but thats my opinion. If you have complete and utter nutters like I have then Id go for fine gravel.
One of the things I like about sand (as opposed to gravel) is that sand doesn't allow detritus to fall in between the cracks and get buried as easily, whereas,
sometimes with chunkier gravel, detritus slips between the interstitial spaces , and gets a better chance to rot unseen, and contributes to nitrate production.
With sand, debris sits on top, and if you don't like to see it, it prompts a short vacuuming, and water change (if only a small extra one) which is always good for the health of the tank, along with normal water changes.
Below a tank I had with PFS, easy to see how any detritus would stand out.
sometimes with chunkier gravel, detritus slips between the interstitial spaces , and gets a better chance to rot unseen, and contributes to nitrate production.
With sand, debris sits on top, and if you don't like to see it, it prompts a short vacuuming, and water change (if only a small extra one) which is always good for the health of the tank, along with normal water changes.
Below a tank I had with PFS, easy to see how any detritus would stand out.
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