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  • Substrate

    I want to know the pros and cons of sand vs pebble substrate. I am starting a 90 gal hex with angels as the center piece. I was wondering how hard the sand would be to clean without sucking it up the tube? Does it hold alot of detritus? Etc. etc....
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  • #2
    Re: Substrate

    Sand IS harder to maintain than gravel, but after some practice you get the hang of 'hovering' the siphon tube over the sand to suck up the mess while leaving the sand.  You'll also need to make sure to stir it occasionally to release the gases that build up in the sand.  Food and waste get trapped in the lower layers of sand and become toxic.  I just run my fingers through it to churn it up.  You'll see bubbles when you do this.  The finer the grain, the more often you should do this.  

    I prefer sand.  I think it's easier to clean now that I've got the learning curve behind me.  The fish also seem to prefer it.  

    That's my blurb on sand.  I'm sure others will have opinions and tips as well, for both sand and gravel.
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    • #3
      Re: Substrate

      You got to be quick on the draw when using sand or it gets sucked up quick.

      I like the pebble size ~2-4mm gravel because it does not get sucked up, and is a lot easier to take out when you move the tank, or change your mind on substrates.

      Sand also has a tendency to get into filters
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      • #4
        Re: Substrate

        Here's my take on that debate:

        If either substrate is installed too deeply, and not properly maintained, they can develop anaerobic pockets where H2S gas can collect and eventually be released. Both substrate materials should be vaccuumed as a part of routine maintenance. Sand forms a denser surface barrier and detritus tends to rest on top of it. Pebbles will allow detritus to fall into the gaps between pebbles and make its way deeper. Vaccuuming a pebble substrate is straightforward and easily accomplished without fear of sucking the pebbles out of the tank, pretty much regardless of the force of the vaccuum. Sand on the other hand, is much easier to remove from the tank with the vaccuum, but can still be cleaned if the force of the vaccuum is reduced; i.e., turning the water pressure down at the faucet to which your python is attached. I am not fond of deep sand beds due to the aforementioned anaerobic tendencies. I like the look of sand, though. However, I'm too lazy to move hardscape around to do a proper job of maintaining it.

        Mark
        What are the facts? Again and again and again--what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore devine revelation, forget what "the stars foretell", avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the unguessable "verdict of history"--what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your only clue.

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        • #5
          Re: Substrate

          one thing about the finer grained sands, sugar sand, play sand etc... is that if you have fish that will stir up the substrate it may float in the water column long enough to get sucked into the filter and can cause damage.

          I like to use pool filter sand from leslies.  its larger grain the other sand, it wont stay in the water column.  you can even poke into it with the siphon a little without sucking up much/any.  and its nice light tan color.


          Fish poo does accumulate more on the surface of the sand and stays visible.  with gravel the poo sinks down between the cracks and "disapears"

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          • #6
            Re: Substrate

            sand or small crushed corral only for me. i do not vac. but use the thinest bed possible. stir 1/2 the bed every now and then. all big tanks get a giraffe cat and he does it. ask Tim about the pond vac. no poop corners for me.
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            • #7
              Re: Substrate

              pool filter sand has worked out gear for me.  It does not hnag in the water and almost none of it gets sucked up in the vac
              I love my Fahaka "Peter" puffer.

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              • #8
                Re: Substrate

                I use pool filter sand, and the only other sand I would use now is cichlid-eco-complete sand.  I have used BOTH of those with great success and I like that substrate.  I dont like much anything else I have come across.

                What fish do Jesper have
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                • #9
                  Re: Substrate

                  damn i was typing on an iphone and it really messed up my typing.  :aua:
                  I love my Fahaka "Peter" puffer.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Substrate

                    I like sand better than gravel. Gravel just traps poo in all the nooks and crannies.
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                    • #11
                      Re: Substrate

                      i use pool filter sand and sometimes i use the fish scooper thingy to scoop up sand and the poop just stays behind in the fish scooper...

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                      • #12
                        Re: Substrate

                        I vote for sand as well.
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                        • #13
                          Re: Substrate

                          I vote for AAAANYTHING besides sand. I would rather have no substrate than sand. No wait, no.. seriously. I would rather have my fish crawl around on old license plates and bones than sand.

                          1. Active fish can mook up a tank quick by stirring sand around. (My old violet goby was a big mooker) :(

                          2. My plants would float up out of the sand unless i put weights or a normal substrate on top of them.

                          3. Momma says sand is the devil.  :evil:

                          4. when the sand would get stirred up it would gunk up my filter.

                          5. stayin alive stayin alive ah ah hah hah stayin aliiiiiiiiiiiiyiyiyiiiiiive.


                          I've spoken my peace. :|
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                          • #14
                            Re: Substrate

                            you are buying the wrong kind of sand?
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                            • #15
                              Re: Substrate

                              Hey hey hey... theres no need to bring logic and reason into this :P
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