Sand vs. Gravel

[dre205]

Hello all,
I am redecorating my 55 gallon fresh water tank. I have blue and orange gravel in it now and I was thinking about switching over to sand. I know pet store brands are very expensive. So would it be a good idea to switch over or should I just stay with gravel? I also would like to know what color I should get (black or white). My current inhabitants are 2 African Knives, 1 Senegal Bichirs, and 1 Convict Cichlid. I have 2 Landed Leporinus and a small Striped Raphael Catfish in a smaller tank till they get bigger because right now my Senegal Bichir is big enough to swallow them whole. You guys don’t even have to worry about telling me my tank is overstocked because I am upgrading when my fish are close to full grown and right now they are not evan close. So enlighten me with some ideas please!

Thanks for your replies!

 

[haynchinook334]

Sure, switch if you like. Your the one that would be looking at it all the time. Pool filter sand is what I use to use.

 

[fishbum]

gravel

 

[studd muffin]

go with sand!

 

[koldsoup]

I think sand looks better. But I'd just be concerned whether or not it'd be more difficult to maintain...

 

[Citrinellus]

Go with pool filter sand, $8 for 50lbs at my pool store

 

[DDFishPets]

Sand is nicer looking for some tanks and a lot cheaper to get (excluding argonite). But depending on your fish the sand may end up in the impellers of your filter and that is a royal pain in the ass. I would personally stick to gravel though.

 

[dr exum]

maybe change your font colour ?

which do you like better? your choice.

Sand most work
gravel less
none even less work

 

[ITHURTZ]

Sand looks tons better. I got playsand in my 330, and the girlfriend has black moon sand in her 55.

When I had my 180 before i built the 330 i had white pool sand. It was to bright and the colors on my fish didnt pop.

If ur worried about the filter shorten the intake. I had to do that on the girlfriends tank as the fish were spitting sand into the tube.

Sand is easier to take care of as all the crap sits on top and doesnt get inbetween the cracks like gravel does.

 

[dre205]

Thanks guys i might go with pool sand or play sand from home depot