What are the benifits of sand?

cbirk

I see a lot of people with extremly find gravel, or even sand in their tanks, and not all of them are heavily planted. To me it just seems that sand makes it almost impossible to properly clean your tank, not to mention the clowdy water for hours, every time you want to move something, or if you have really active bottom dwelling fish.

So my Question is, what are the BENIFITS of sand over gravel? Obviously there are a few species like the Horse Faced Loach that love to burry themselves, so besides that is there anything I should know?

Kelso

I have about 125 pounds of sand in my 75 gallon tank and I have no problems with it and a little less than 50 lbs in my 28 gallon. In fact it's quite the opposite with sand as cleaning is immensely easier. Food and poo just sit on top of the sand and is quite easy to vacuum up. As for being cloudy if you properly wash it, there is no cloudiness. I can stir up a handful of sand in my tank and it'll settle down not even 30 seconds later. It doesn't get cloudy at all. It's really easy to plant in sand, for both of my sand tanks have quite a few plants. Sand looks nicer in my opinion and bottom dwellers of many species, especially catfish find it very comfortable.

cbirk

Thanks for the reply. I have never had sand my self, so I can only comment on how friends tanks look. But I do remember them saying they had problems vacing it because the sand would all come up too, unlike gravel which is too heavey and only comes up aout half way. Is this not a problem for you?

I think it may also be that the sand I have seen is actual beach sand, not aquarium sand, would this make a differance?

Also I would love to see pics of your tanks Kelso, if you have any about?

Kelso

When I vacuum I maybe get a half teaspoon total through the whole water change. My sand sinks rather well and my siphon is narrow so it doesn't pick up stuff rapidly. As long as you're careful it really isn't a problem. Definitely as for the type of sand. I use Quikrete Industrial Grade Sand Fine...works well and 4.50 for 50 lbs.

Here are some pictures for you:

cbirk

Ok well I think I will definately consider sand in my next tank. I would like to do a heavily planted tank next. Right now I have two red wentii and some Java Moss in a 55 with pea sized gravel, So not a lot of experiance with plants. Thanks for your help!

cmc29

I use sand as a layer over my flourite substate, and like Kelso says: its so easy to clean. It didn't cloud my tank either, in fact, not at all. You just have to rinse your sand a ton before you use it. My tank is heavily planted, I will use sand in every planted tank i set up in the future.

cbirk

Thanks CMC, by the way thats a nice looking Red Tail shark. I have one about 5 inches now. He is by far one of my favorite fish. (Right behind my Yellow Labs :D)

iamntbatman

Also, if you hover your gravel vac just above the surface of the sand you can clean off any fish poo or other waste without sucking too much sand up.

cmc29

Thanks cbirk! unfortunately i have to get rid of him very soon....he's starting to act like grown up RTS's do...lol..i have a friend that is going to take him and he'll soon be kept with some cichlids.

cbirk

yeah, my plan is to get a 125 for my Oscar who is outgrowingmy 55 and move my shark in there withsome other things that can handle him