Sand or Pebbles?

Question

I am upgrading from a 20 gallon freshwater tank to a 55, but I want to change the substrate from blue to natural or to white sand. I want to know if anyone knows where I can purchase freshwater sand. Or is it ok to use marine sand in a freshwater tank. Please help. thank you

Answer 1

Sand is just fine. Don't use marine sand or crushed coral (which will alter pH and hardness of water), but you can use pool filter sand, play sand, sand blasting sand, or FW/SW silica sand. I have used to for ages with no problems. Try Home Depot, Pool places or fish stores.

Just be sure to get some Malaysian Trumpet Snails to keep the sand from accumulating toxic gases and turning into a solid plaque - or just stir up the sand every week with a wooden chopstick.

Cleaning is harder; I just suck up any sand that happens to go into the tube when I vacuum, and put it back in the tank after I dump out the water. Easy as pie.

Just be sure to thoroughly rinse any sand you use first, in hot water. And, of course, don't use an undergravel filter... But I would not suggest an undergravel filter to ANYone - always HOB or canister.

Answer 2

Do you intend to use an under-gravel filtration system? (recommended). If so, gravel will work better than sand. The gravel should be purchased from a knowledgeable aquarist, that way you can avoid Ph problems and other horrors. Basically the gravel ought to be crushed rock that is very hard, like flint. Avoid soft, water-soluble material like limestone. Also avoid any product that is coated or polished. You need a rough surface for the bacteria to cling to. Particle size is important too. Smaller is usually better than larger. Look for something a little smaller than the size of a book-type match head. Be sure to buy enough. You want the gravel to be about 3 inched deep at the front of the aquarium, grading to about 6 inches deep at the rear (if that's where the lift tubes are located) Its good policy to never introduce anything from a lake, river, pond or ocean to an aquarium. If you absolutely must have sand, your best bet is to use a filter plate for a salt water set-up. Buy the sand from an aquarist. Good luck.

Answer 3

Do not use marina sand it haves lots of stuff you don’t want in your fresh water if you go to about any fresh water fish store if they don’t carry it they will most likely ship it in for you or you could always buy it off the internet you could get sand for it but I don’t know if sand is the better way to go for fresh water tanks I personally like salt water tanks and they are better with sand I have a 50galin right now its grate well good luck with your tank

Answer 4

You can never put anything from the ocean in a freshwater tank. You cannot clean it enough to remove the salt, and it will kill the fish. You can purchase sand from hardware stores, it does not contain salt. You can purchase this in aquarium stores, but don't use anything from the ocean.

Answer 5

sand and freshwater tanks don't mix, marine sand will only work in brackish fish tanks and saltwater tanks, Due to the nature of sand, freshwater aquariums and the filtration systems don't work right. you can use sandy colored gravel/pebbles for the colors your going for, I recommend using a gravel filtration system on such a large tank, you can get them in almost any petstore. Dont use gravel that isn't intended for aquariums, aquarium gravel is treated to remove pollutants that are in regular gravel you would buy from a landscape supply.

Answer 6

Pebbles are much easier to clean than sand. I am not sure, but I do think that sand requires a special filtration system, I would think that if you had regular filters, the sand would just get stuck in them.

Answer 7

dont use marine sand. that has salt crystals in it and will kill your fish. you be able to get freshwater sand pretty much anywhere. if you cant find it in a store go to a lake or stream and get some, then clean with lots of hot water.

Answer 8

Just a question real quick, do you plan on having any live plants in your aquarium, that will determine the advice I give you.

Answer 9

u should use pebbles.you can get them at petsmart usually.pebbles are easier to take care of.

Answer 10

tricky task. look into with bing and yahoo. it may help!