09th Nov 2009
Fish Tank Sand vs Gravel
Setting up your fish tank could be quite an exciting experience. Being a fish parent is a big thing and any fish keeper would surely want the best for his fish and prepare every detail of his tank before bringing home his new ‘baby’. In doing so, a lot of things are considered. Along with the equipments needed to ensure fishes stay healthy and the water stays clean, the substrate material is another big factor most often aquarists have a hard time deciding on.
Though there are so many choices of substrate materials available in fish stores, more commonly used are sand and gravel. Oftentimes, gravel is a popular choice for covering fish tank floors because of its economic value and ease of use. Gravel definitely is not expensive and could come in a lot of colors which is a great way to add beauty and life to your aquarium. It is also easy to clean with the use of gravel vacuum, allowing tiny debris and wastes to be sucked up without disturbing the gravels, leaving them intact on the aquarium floor. Its smooth edges prevent injury to the fish and its inert chemical nature does not dissolve into the aquarium water. However, gravel may not be a good idea if you plan on adding plants on your fish tank design. They tend to shift very easily causing live plants to dishevel and become unplanted. Gravel is a more preferred material for freshwater tanks.
Sand, on the other hand, could be a better choice for plants as they allow them to root well in it. It may not come in different colors like the gravel, but the sand gives any aquarium a more decent and professional look and definitely holds so much aesthetic value to it. When you use sand for the first time, it would take a little time and work to have everything all set up though. The material tends to be cloudy and it takes a few days for it to settle and clear up. An upgraded filter is needed for a tank with sand on it to avoid tiny particles from constantly getting stuck. Sand is a better choice for fishes with delicate appendages who are most likely to be injured as they scavenge for food. Debris also tend to remain on top of the sand, making cleaning more convenient. Coral sand, river sand and silica sand are common in fish stores but the coral sand is most easily obtained. While coral sand and river sand are known to alter water pH and hardness, Silica sand is known to be completely harmless to the fish.
Clearly there are a lot of other options of substrate for your aquarium. The popularity of sand and gravel are owed to the most benefits they can offer to the fishes compared to the other materials. The choice between the two would depend on the kind of fish you have and what will offer you the most convenience and ease of use. Whether it’s sand or gravel, what would give your fish the most advantages would definitely be the best choice.
Related posts:
Leave a Reply