which is better

which is better gravel or sand what would yall use and why?

I use gravel because of underground filters, also for plants for firmer attachment and so big fish don't get sand in their gills and die. Also easier to clean.

Sand because most cichlids LUV to dig, also for nesting and looks cooler. Cannot be used with undergravel cleaners and is harder to clean.

seeing as how you posted this in the saltwater section i am assuming your question pertains to a saltwater aquarium. i used pavestone pulverised limestone in mine for a sugar fine sand in a dsb configuration. another choice i would use would be aragonite of a sugar fine grade. you could use aragonite or pavestone, grain size really depends on other factors (what type of creatures you plan to keep for example)

In my saltwater tank i used a mix of crushed coral and sand. I not sure but my thoughts on it was the crushed coral mixed with the sand would give the bacteria more surface area then sand alone. If any body knows any different let me know. But the other reason i used this is because it is what i could get cheep at the time(free)

lgsasquatch wrote:

In my saltwater tank i used a mix of crushed coral and sand. I not sure but my thoughts on it was the crushed coral mixed with the sand would give the bacteria more surface area then sand alone. If any body knows any different let me know. But the other reason i used this is because it is what i could get cheep at the time(free)

there are many people that you can ask that will tell you different stuff, if you plan on nitrate reductio 4" to 6" deep sand bed of sugar fine grade (like aragamax, and pavestone would be great) of course when it comes down to best bang for the buck (free doesnt count ) it is a no brainer pavestone at home depot is 4.68 + tax for a 40 lb bag, where as the caribsea aragamax is like 20.00 or 30.00 guestimated for like 20lbs or less. so with all of that said what critters he tends to keep is a factor, for example some critters do prefer finer grain sand as something like aragonite may irritate them such as some burrowing animals like featherdusters, rays (in a large FO tank), sand sifters are another like gobies, stars, etc.)

Sand all the way for me. Easier to manage

WOW, that like comapring apples and oranges, another words both have great pros and cons. I use both in my various tanks, and have been please with both. Some animals say like a sea cucumber, wont do well in a coarse bottom, but will thrive in a sand bottom.

i got this "nature's ocean" white sand from petco and it says marine sand. can i use it for african cichlids? the color is very white. some say white from leslies but those were not white enough for me lol

76dragon wrote:

Sand all the way for me. Easier to manage

I went bare bottom in my saltwater tank. It increases water flow in a tank. Is a little easier to clean

id do bare bottom but i dont like the look of glass

you might be a genious lol

i put some HDP High Density Polyethylene board on the bottom of my 135 gallon SW tank. You don't see the glass bottom

I paint the underside a sandy color. No gravel or sand so when I pull the stopper the tank drains dry

CajunGator wrote:

Hey, i just thought of a new idea for the bare bottom tanks....
Why not put rock background paper under the Tank Hey, that will Work!!!

grrrr 8 idea

well i still prefer my pulverised limestone in my sw tanks