sand vs gravel

[josue25]

i want to know what is better and eazyer to keep clean over all

 

[JK47]

i want to know what is better and eazyer to keep clean over all

Sand looks better, your fish will prefer it, it is easier to clean. If you have good enough mech filtration and no dead spots, you will not have to clean it at all. Just still it once in a while during water changes. You would have to use a RUGF to get similar results. Go with sand...

 

[Zander_The_RBP]

x2 for sand easy to keep clean detrius just settles on top of it instead of sinking down into it. So you can just siphon it off or get a few powerheads and strategically position them to keep the debris off the sand altogether

 

[Angler]

Yes, sand looks better and is easy to clean as everyone said.

However, with all the scratches on the glass on my 125 caused by grains of sand while cleaning, I think I am going to go with gravel when I get a bigger tank.

 

[superleggera123]

Gravel all the way
some fish will kick up sand causing it to get into filters.. causing issues such as broken impellers!
Gravel is also easier to siphon without worrying about sand getting sucked in!
and gravel is to nicer IMO tends to look better in some tanks

 

[Pomatomus]

I currently use both, but I have to say I am enjoying the sand more. Occasionally my HOB filter will make some weird noises (I assume grains of sand are getting sucked in) but it subsides pretty quickly. My fish love it and there is no need to siphon it. Plus, sand is roughly 1/10 of the price.

 

[vanimate]

Sand is much easier to maintain and doesnt become a trap for all the detritus and debris.

 

[josue25]

ok sand it is then what kind of sand is it that i have to buy i dont wanna buy sand with end up killing my fish

 

[kdrun76]

Gravel all the way
some fish will kick up sand causing it to get into filters.. causing issues such as broken impellers!
Gravel is also easier to siphon without worrying about sand getting sucked in!
and gravel is to nicer IMO tends to look better in some tanks

Agreed 100%

I hate sand. I had a 210 with sand in it and wished every day for the sandgrains to grow up into gravel.

Currently I have a 70g with sand and a 30g that is 50/50 with sand/gravel. All other tanks are gravel. I HATE SAND.

Graven is easier to clean, nicer looking, easier to deal with etc...

Sand can't be vacced the way gravel is. Stiring it to get the goo out is no small task in a large tank, dead spots in the sand bed cause sulfur gas problems etc...

Gravel all the way.

 

[JK47]

ok sand it is then what kind of sand is it that i have to buy i dont wanna buy sand with end up killing my fish

Go to a Pool and SPA store and ask for "pool filter sand". It's dirt cheap, will not harm your fish and looks great. Generally the grain size is larger as well which helps weight it down and avoid being kicked up into your filter. Just wash it really, really well before it goes in the tank and your done.