Sand or Tile?!

[Isaiah Shipp]

So I LOVE to keep my water consistent and clean, probably like most of you but I hate the look of a bare bottom tank so I decided to try tile out but things keep getting stuck underneath them so I have to take them out every water change which is a pain. So I guess my question is, can you have sand in your tank and still have great water and easy cleaning? Excuse my ignorance, I've never had sand and I would like to hear from people who deal with it, pros and cons of it. Does it get in your filter? Gas pockets? Smell? Thanks guys!

 

[Fish Eat Fish]

I went tile bottom years ago and for certain fish I find it to be MUCH better. You have to be careful what you put in the bottom so you don't add mold inhibitors or something but I've never had an issue. I can't remember off hand what tile types are recommended but a search will tell you that. Tile is way easier to clean (like bare bottom easy) and it doesnt get in your filter and wear of the impeller. You can certainly get away with sand without major problems. My girlfriend has axolotls with white sand. They are bottom dwelling so we decided sand was a bettwe option. It is harder to clean and we do have to be careful not to stir it up and have it end up in the filter but it's not that bad. If you have mid level or top swimming fish I'd go tile personally.

 

[Fish Eat Fish]

Here is a picture of my newly setup tile bottom. Please ignore the glass as the previous owner kept it partially fill with turtles so there is some calcium that needs to be scraped off.





I am still working on how I want to lay it out but this was the first attempt. Also be aware that the tile I chose was VERY dark. Once in the aquarium it always looks much lighter in color. Something to keep in mind when selecting your tile.

 

[Lepisosteus]

I'm a sand fan

 

[ragin_cajun]

Sand in the impellers? I've never had that. Careful about not stirring it up? I'm not careful with it at all. Doesn't cloud the water. Never had "gas pockets", or smell, or anything like that.

Now, I use "Pool Filter Sand", it's a little more coarse than other types of sand. It's really cheap, buy it at the pool store. And I do rinse it pretty well before I put it in the tank (though I think next time I might just skip that step), so maybe that's why I don't have any of those problems.

 

[monkeybike]

I get a fair amount of sand in my canister filters. I use pool filter sand. It's usually either my Hoplo cats spitting it out into the intakes or my Irwini cat giving a big tail wag and blowing it into the water column. Still haven't had any impeller issues.

 

[JK47]

Sand in the impellers? I've never had that. Careful about not stirring it up? I'm not careful with it at all. Doesn't cloud the water. Never had "gas pockets", or smell, or anything like that.

Now, I use "Pool Filter Sand", it's a little more coarse than other types of sand. It's really cheap, buy it at the pool store. And I do rinse it pretty well before I put it in the tank (though I think next time I might just skip that step), so maybe that's why I don't have any of those problems.

This. All day long. I Run a heavy sand as well (Lapis Lustre #1C) with tons of flow. I do get sand in my filters but keep rays so you get what you get with rays. I considered tiling my 600 for a while and decided to go with sand for that tank as well. The rays love it and it makes things easier on you bio filter as well. Keep in mind you get a ton of surface area increase from sand substrate.

 

[Isaiah Shipp]

This. All day long. I Run a heavy sand as well (Lapis Lustre #1C) with tons of flow. I do get sand in my filters but keep rays so you get what you get with rays. I considered tiling my 600 for a while and decided to go with sand for that tank as well. The rays love it and it makes things easier on you bio filter as well. Keep in mind you get a ton of surface area increase from sand substrate.

You have a 600 gallon aquarium with sand in it?! That's great, I always thought that If I ever got a tank that big I could never do sand because of the maintenance. How do you maintain so well, any pictures? I was thinking of getting the "National geographic" sand, is this a good one? What do you guys recommend, along with any tips on maintaining. Thanks!

 

[JK47]

You have a 600 gallon aquarium with sand in it?! That's great, I always thought that If I ever got a tank that big I could never do sand because of the maintenance. How do you maintain so well, any pictures? I was thinking of getting the "National geographic" sand, is this a good one? What do you guys recommend, along with any tips on maintaining. Thanks!

Try not to over think it. Sand is easy and simple. I dont maintain mine at all. The rays keep it stirred up so I don't have to vacuum either thanks to a solid turn over rate (hammerhead pump). My best advice is to find a sand you are happy with that is safe, rinse it really really well before putting it in a tank and enjoy. All my tanks have sand except for pup tanks and QT. Those are bare bottom. I'm on mobile at the moment so no pics sorry. Avoid play sand. Pool filter sand, the Lapis Lustre I mentioned (a media blasting sand) as well as a few others are cheap and good options. Or you can go the spendy name brand option. To each their own. Moderation is key so try not to have a really deep sand bed and you won't have to worry about gas pockets or anything.

Vacuuming sand for people who like to is easy. Just wave it over the surface or dig in. Either way.

 

[ragin_cajun]

It's sand, it's not much to maintain. You just vacuum solids right off of it with a gravel vac. It's just like gravel, but easier. Stuff doesn't get in sand, it stays on top of it.