Sand Vs Gravel

[firedragon92]

hey guys I am switch around my tanks to make room for some new cichlids and thought that in the process i would give them all a revamp so i started with some reaserch and have sites that say that for cichlids sand is better than gravel because it recrates their natural enviroment and some that say its a big mistake.

i was wondering if this is infact true and what peoples obpions on the debate of sand Vs gravel was

i will be running a canister with a breeding sponge on the intake so it getting sucked in to the filter will not be a problem.

i am leaning towards sand or tiny 3mm gravel which is only a tade larger but looks heaps nicer i would also mix in a bit of crushed shells to raise the PH

cheers

[yarra2]

I've put sand in my Malawai tank as according to Ad Konings most of the shallower water in the lake is sandy bottom. Few plants apparently - mostly grasses. I got my pre-washed sand from Bunnings, a couple of big 20kg bags, and although I washed it again it was pretty clean anyway. It provides a great base and the fish love digging in it and sifting it through their gills. The drawback is that it does show the dirt and needs to be lightly siphoned a couple of times a week, but I feed them in one area and it's a quick job to get it looking good again. I think a slightly heavier sand would have been better in some ways, but if I were doing it again I would use the same size. The Hongi is happiest when he's digging another cave under the rocks so be careful to make sure they won't collapse.

I'm using limestone rocks to help with the Ph

I have two filters - one a trickle that came with the Aquarium unit and a Flavel Canister. As far as I can see neither of them has picked up any sand.

[joz]

I use sand and have done now for years without any problems what so ever.

My preference is builders triple washed sand (its white) from the the garden/builders centers.
At about $5-7/50kg its cheap.
Plants seem to do very well in it aswell.But because its so fine the debris does not migrate into the crevices but sits ontop for eay siphoning,or elase if you have enogh current the debris will slowly move over to the cannister uplift and be removed.

If anyone is adamant about using U/G filters I think this is where sand will not work.

Oh and I have never (last 5years) vacuumed/siphoned my sand.
In this tank I keep discus which are all doing well and breeding,so no ill effects to report..

So thats my recommendation for fine sand..


Btw make sure you still wash it before it goes into your tank..

[firedragon92]

hey guys where abouts did you get your sand from


do you use anything to prevent an avalanche or protect the glass at all

but yeah i am thinking sand because it looks great is it suitable for your medium to large cichlids like heros severus

cheers

[Woodsy]

lol, I collect all mine, as I'm lazy as hell and can't be bothered washing anything. If you're worried about your rocks pressing on the bottom of the tank, try some gutter guard/mesh underneath them.
I'm still amazed that you have the most cost effective answer for almost everything Joz, I love your work mate ;)

[joz]

Just a T A.....:D

[yarra2]

As I say, I got mine from Bunnings and it’s very cheap. You’ll probably use more to start off with than you think you’ll need – I thought 40kg would be an over-kill but used all of it. Think it was less than $20 for the lot. Joz is right about cleaning (no need to siphon) but I re-arranged my set-up with the rocks in the middle rear so there is not a perfect natural flow between the powerheads – made worse by the fish burrowing and experimenting with spawning sites…. I just need to help it along a bit with the siphon. One other thing: Natural driftwood is a bit messy as the fish peck at it, particularly the cats, so I have gone for fake driftwood which has reduced the specks of stuff on the sand which otherwise wouldn’t be noticed with gravel. I’ll post a photo.file:///C:/Users/Mike/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg
file:///C:/Users/Mike/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpgfile:///C:/Users/Mike/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg

[joz]

I originally put it in to cover the glass base because I had bare bottom tanks for ease of cleaning.But since then I have made mine deeper to allow plant growth.
I just poured it directly onto the glass base of the tank.

But it is easiyly siphoned up by filter intakes so just be careful how close you put them to sandy bottom..

[firedragon92]

ehy i will ahve to check out the sand at bunnings it getting sucked up sould not be a problem as i was going to by a breeding sponge to attach to it as i hope to have babies

thanks guys

[cichlidboy]

the only thing i hate about having sand in my tanks, is that debris and wastes show up really well.
right after you do a water change, you see more waste.

[Woodsy]

It's funny, I feed my fish about 5 times a day and I never get the problem of debris. I've seen it in clients tanks on a regular basis, but never actually had the problem myself...

[cichlidboy]

happens more with my plecs than anything else

[firedragon92]

hey guys

i went to bunnings today and picked up 40kg of washed landscapers sand (im assuming thats the same as builders sand) for $10

any way i was reading the info on the back just to make sure and i read that it contains silca (quartz) as a natural impurity and was just wondering if this is safe for fish. there was another word after silica that started with a c but i dont have access to the sand at the moment so i cant check but i will add it in when i can look

but yeah i would like to hear from from you guys as i really dont want to endanger my fish

cheers

[Woodsy]

Most sand is some form of silica complex mate, so I wouldn't be to worried about that. If it's chlorite that is the other major constituent, I honestlty don't know what effect (if any) that would have on the water chemistry.

[firedragon92]

thanks woodsy thats good to know

i doubt it will have any affect on the water chemistry if it is one of the major compounds of most sands i will still let you know the second word when i can.

cheers mate

[Trofius]

I use strady island white sand in all my tanks, works very well, and as mentioned a quick syphon off the crap during water changes is too easy..I gave gravel the boot 10 years ago, pain in the ass, messy crap..

All my fish are tanganyikans and sand is their natural substrate

[yarra2]

Great pics! Must find a place to post my photos...

Update on the sand thing: I've replaced the gravel in my SA tank with sand (Bunnings pre-washed @ $5.75 for 20kg) and it looks so much better. I took Joz's advice and re-arranged the decor in the main tank so there is a better flow between the power heads and that has partially solved the problem. I've also discovered that a medium sized net will pick up most of the crap and allow the sand grains through and that saves a lot of vacuuming.

[firedragon92]

hey guys is there any special way that you syphon to avoid sucking up the sand cause i did my first water change and could not stop sucking up sand

i will try the net yarra that sounds like i good idea but yeah if anyone has a special way of syphoning to avoid sucking up the sand id love to hear it

[Woodsy]

It just tankes practice mate, try using a finer hose if you need to. It will take longer, but you won't lift as much sand up.

[firedragon92]

i was afraid you would say that

im sure ill get alot of practise cause you can really notice the crap on the bootum which is great cause then i know when its time to do a clean

cheers