Even with those bright lights and that lack of plants, you can absolutely control algae through regular water changes – study this closely, though, as too often can harm your aquarium – vacuuming your gravel and using that protein skimmer as directed. If you are using sand then there are some risks to be aware about with your filter. Many sand products are not safe to use in an aquarium or are particularly unsuitable for freshwater tanks. Aquarium gravel, or substrate, makes the tank more attractive, and it comes in a variety of colors and sizes, from tiny pebbles and sand to large river rocks.However, it also serves several important purposes beyond decoration, though there are some situations in which substrate isn't desirable. The cost varies depending on size, quality, color. bacteria) and will also get clogged with dirt and detritus–so once your aquarium is up-and-running, your gravel won’t be such a pure white–but don’t worry, all that extra color (even though the color is mostly brown…) is actually doing good things for the health of your tank. It’s an ideal choice for community and planted tanks and lends itself to endless customization. You would rinse the sand over and over again until it looks clear and usable to you. Aquarium Sand & Gravel Sand and gravel are used as aquarium substrate, which provides a natural filter and breeding ground for beneficial bacteria, as well as a natural habitat. I have a tank that is 5'x3'x3'. Gravel is the substrate-of-choice for many novices and experienced freshwater fish keepers because it is so broadly suited to raising both aquatic animals and plants. What Are The Benefits Of Using Aquarium Sand? Lot’s of fishkeepers have ran normal HOB sponge filters with sand and haven’t had any issues, so it is doable. Pure water pebbles can also be used as substrates for fresh and saltwater aquariums. For one, it looks more natural than colored gravel pieces. And I mean a lot. It is this high nutrient content which promotes the desired strong plant growth, even with very demanding aquarium plants, such as lawn builders. One of the first decisions you’ll face when designing an aquarium is what type of substrate to use in the bottom of your tank. Many people have had sand ruin their filters, often times going through several filters quickly. Each is right for certain aquariums. After some time, the white aquarium sand substrate will become covered in a biological film (ie. Gravel is typically made from rocks such as quartz or sandstone that have been crushed, smoothed and rounded into shape. Substrate does not need to be changed on a regular schedule, but should be swapped out when it becomes slimy or muddy. Sandy substrates may present challenges for cleaning and maintaining your tank. It creates an ocean blue like color that is definitely pleasing in the eyes. This actually lends towards a cleaner looking tank, since all the waste isn’t sitting on top of the bottom floor in plain view. There’s not many drawbacks to using gravel in your freshwater aquarium. Small to medium aquariums should have two to three inches of gravel or one inch of sand in the bottom. Gravel and sand are common substrates, and each has pros and cons. It is easier to maintain a gravel tank than an aquarium with sand. But it usually takes more work to get all of that cleaned out. Marbles, colored gravel and the like are not suitable for the saltwater aquarium. This may be a bigger problem with porous types of gravel, but using a UV-sterilizing filter may help prevent these algae outbreaks and other problems with waterborne parasites. Hi I'm Randy, I've been starting and running aquariums for many years. I think that would look better than gravel. If a substrate is between 1/16 to 2mm in diameter it’s called sand regardless of what it is composed of. This can be confusing when you are searching for an appropriate aquarium substrate. While preparing to setup my new fish tank I had to decide between sand or gravel for my aquarium substrate. Here’s everything to consider when choosing between aquarium sand vs gravel! You need a gravel vac to really dive into the substrate to suck up all that junk that is sitting down there wasting away and dirtying up your tank. sand gravel vacuum. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I am very partial to the sandy-bottomed look myself. Specifically, sand makes the most sense in certain kinds of saltwater aquariums. I researched all the pros and cons between the two. Tankarium is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Secondly, closely packed substrate sand doesn’t need cleaning as often as gravel does. There are really no limits to what you can do with a graveled freshwater aquarium. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon. Larger aquariums should have three to four inches of gravel or two inches of sand. I don't care if my tank bed is live or not. But they would be happiest in a nice soft sand bed to hunt in. Saltwater marine aquariums and Reef tanks for the most part use a sand substrate. What Is Dry Aquarium Sand? You just hold your hose a few inches off the ground, wave it back and forth, or use your hand to create a little current, which will lift all the dirty stuff higher up into the water, and then you can easily suck it up. I wrote up a review and some filter recommendations here to help you avoid the filters that will give you the biggest problems, if you are struggling with cloudy water from your sand. It’s ideal for raising nearly all freshwater fish and most invertebrates. I don’t think either one is all that difficult. Almost anyone would agree that it simply looks more natural and polished. Saltwater aquarium sand is often made of aragonite, calcium carbonate material that slowly releases calcium and raises pH (except black aquarium sand). To avoid problems, pick the substrate that works best for the fish and plants you plan to keep in the tank of your dreams! Thread starter davidwillis; Start date Dec 7, 2020; Tagged users None Dec 7, 2020 #1 D. davidwillis Community Member View Badges. sand gravel vacuum. For saltwater aquarium keepers, you’ll need to be diligent with your maintenance to keep the algae growth down. The small diameter of the sand grains prevents water from flowing through your substrate. In contrast, gravel may permit the algae to grow throughout your substrate, where it can be challenging to treat. The sand will clog the system and potentially create dangerous air pockets that could fill up with toxic gas that could poison your fish. Silt - Out of the other two primary categories, silt is made of very fine particles. You can also carefully vacuum the debris up with a hose. They are just different. Plecos that stay small in this article, chances are most my readers have had at least one of these guys, am I right? Since the debris accumulates on top of the substrate, sandy bottoms often look dirtier than aquariums with gravel. Sand: With sand substrate the waste just sits right there on top. Sand or gravel for planted aquarium? If you’re planning on a planted tank then sand may be something to avoid. Cichlids for example can really beat up your substrate and cloud things up significantly. Gravel is also the ideal choice for growing aquatic plants since it allows roots to take in nutrients from the water flowing through the substrate. The presence of this bacteria helps boost the nitrogen cycle and converts toxic waste products into a safer form. Plants can be planted in sand or gravel and do very well. Many plants work great in gravel, and you can find many that do very well in sand also. After you have cleaned the bottom floor of the sand during a water change for example, then use your fingers or an object to gently rake through the sand, this will break up any of the air pockets that may be forming. Nature's Ocean® Aquarium Saltwater sand for reef tanks, fish tanks and saltwater aquariums. Gravel - As you may already know, gravel is a much more coarse version of sand and is composed of larger particles. can go with either fine gravel or sand, but dwarf species such as dwarf loaches do need sand. Natural sand is made up of small bits of shells, rocks, and/or organic materials with a diameter from 1/16 to 2mm. They may be contaminated with toxins or heavy metals and can poison your tank. Moreover, since the gravel is considerably heavier than sand, it … I am thinking of taking out the sand and putting like those small polished rocks made for aquariums. Free of impurities such as ash, metals, pesticides, and silica. When it comes to cleaning your tank, water changes etc. Since one of the main challenges with sand is keeping the cloudiness down in your water, you have to go through a lengthy process before-hand to help offset this.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'fishtankwizard_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_10',108,'0','0'])); You need to wash out and rinse your sand a lot before putting it into your tank. Small particles of food and other materials that stand out against a sandy bottom may be indistinguishable when lying on the bottom of a graveled tank. All rights reserved.. *All prices including german VAT, plus shipping costs.shipping costs. They can get by in gravel and often do in many tanks. The majority of sands available for the saltwater aquarium are all aragonite based (More on this at the end of the article) and CaribSea is the major producer that you will find in most saltwater aquariums in North America. For example stem plants should do great in the sand as the root is mainly located on the stem itself. Unlike sand straight from the river, however, these bags of substrate have been processed and cleaned. Gravel tanks often appear tidier and better maintained than their sandy counterparts. You should be aware of these things before making your decision of which substrate to go with. Commercial products may be labeled as natural or river sand, and look similar to the sand you see along a waterfront. It could be pretty unsightly to see all that junk at all times in your tank. The material you choose impacts your aquarium set-up and whether your community of fish, invertebrates, and/or plants thrives or struggles. She is an expert in setting up new tanks and maintaining naturally-planted freshwater habitats, and has experience raising a wide variety of aquatic species. Gravel requires a deeper cleaning typically with a gravel vacuum.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'fishtankwizard_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_4',107,'0','0'])); There are several factors to consider, such as how easy each are to setup, to clean, which species you are planning on keeping, and what equipment you need . Gravel is better as an aquarium substrate in terms of maintenance for freshwater tanks. If you have an earthy natural tone, or dark gravel; that is a sharp look also. You can set your filter intakes quite low because the gravel is too heavy to get sucked into the filter. The sand surprisingly enough could be a lot cheaper, since you can find cheap substitutes at local hardware stores. Sand isn’t the ideal substrate for every tank and imposes some limitations when used in freshwater aquariums. Ideal for tanks with undergravel filtration or where elevated pH levels are required. While you can buy gravel in bulk from construction supply companies, these types are not usually safe to use in aquariums. However, the first thing to consider when choosing a substrate is what fish are going to be living in your aquarium. alone will NOT keep the alkalinity, calcium, and pH up where you need to keep them. Gravel is available is many different sizes and colors which makes it very diverse and also more likely to meet your own requirements for your aquarium. Though your tank shouldn’t go uncleaned for long enough for it to be a real issue. Pretty much every saltwater or reef tank is going to have sand, so it goes without saying that most marine species would prefer the sand. Instead of just one rinsing, you would repeat the washing process like 10 times—Maybe more. - Freshwater & Saltwater Aquarium Foru… Natural Aquarium Gravel 10-20mm pieces Betta World substrates are an amazing way to show off your magnificent Siamese Betta Fish. When it comes to looks, a sand substrate is just much prettier in your aquarium. In most cases, pea-size gravel makes the better substrate for freshwater aquariums. as the week goes by. Joined Mar 29, 2018 Messages 28 Reaction score 2. You shouldn’t combine sand with your under gravel filtration system. For example stem plants should do great in the sand as the root is mainly located on the stem itself. If you have bottom feeders and scavengers this will give them more opportunity to help you clean. If you use aquarium gravel the pH level of the water will be quite high So this is something that you … But after that hard work, you do get rewarded with…. This will help reduce the sand from being picked up and damaging the impeller.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishtankwizard_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',111,'0','0'])); You could also use a mechanical filter in a sand setup to safely decloud the water. FishTankWizard.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn commission by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When you opt for a gravel bottom you’ll have a wide variety of choices in size, color, and composition. With a little practice you can do water changes with barely sucking up any of the sand itself, whatever you do happen to collect you can usually add it back to the tank with no issue.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'fishtankwizard_com-box-4','ezslot_2',109,'0','0'])); This is one of the main risks with using sand. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. It was nothing fancier than a bowl with feeder goldfish and African dwarf frogs. You’ll have a wider array of filtering options when you go with a gravel substrate since you can use either undergravel or hanging/canister filters with your tank. But thicker sand bottoms have the risk of forming small air pockets, where old food and waste could potentially get trapped into it. I love researching everything about fish tanks. Many freshwater species prefer sand—especially dwarf species and shrimp. Instead, they remain on the top layer of sand where your filter intake can grab and remove them. Ideal for culturing Live Sand and 100% from the ocean floor. Learn how your comment data is processed. This is also a very bright, white, ultra-fine gravel sand that rivals some of the world’s most desirable beaches! If you’re looking to recreate the smooth, tranquil appearance of a river bottom or lake, then aquarium sand might be your substrate of choice! In this video, I explain how to clean newly purchased aquarium substrate (sand and/or gravel). In some cases, it almost feels like slime. Some sand is rougher than others, like the pool filter sand that is commonly used, so keep that in mind when placing fish like the corys who might be sensitive to that. Gravel. Saltwater tanks depend in part on the substrate you select for proper water balance and chemistry; the materials used are calcium-based and this mineral is vital to the health of the tank. Important: When raking the sand make sure you do it after you have cleaned the bottom, so you don’t chance burying waste. Sand (like the type used in a children's play sand-box), gravel (such as the kind found in fish stores that comes in pretty colors that is primarily sold for freshwater tanks), as well as rocks that are quarried on land often contain unwanted minerals, metals, silicates, and possibly chemicals or toxins that may leach out into the aquarium water and become problematic. To get a tank setup with gravel is pretty easy. General Aquarium Discussion. Some plants will actually attach their roots to rocks and gravel so sand would not be a good choice for these plants. You can get away with a 50lb bag for extremely cheap.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'fishtankwizard_com-banner-1','ezslot_3',119,'0','0'])); The benefit from buying from pet stores or your local fish shop is you can find substrate that has beneficial additives for your water and plants. You can use both sand and gravel for a planted aquarium. You may need to adjust the intake on your hanging or canister filter to prevent them from getting clogged with sand. Shrimp almost require sand. With sand a regular siphon hose is sufficient. Blasting sand is something commonly used with many aquarium hobbyist. You will find it much easier to clean a sandy aquarium rather than one that contains gravel, as the sand doesn’t collect waste as easily. Unlike sand … Fish such as jawfish, blennies and burrowing crustaceans can dig, burrow and create their own unique homes. Sand looks natural and beautiful. Of course it depends on your setup, fish, the type of sand etc. This has some advantages since you can clearly see how dirty your tank is getting, and it will be hard to ignore. Saltwater tanks have fewer options than do freshwater tanks, as aquarists want to re-create a natural environment. Dry sand is just what it sounds. You can create nearly any effect you want in your tank by choosing the right substrate. Can you use sand in a tropical freshwater fish tank? Following that guidance alone will help protect your filter. Sand gives a natural look to the plants. Sand is an ideal substrate for animals such as: Many aquatic plants struggle in sandy substrates, but these species thrive: Gravel is the most common type of aquarium substrate and is an ideal product for most freshwater aquariums. Tanks that use aquarium sand seem to need less pH adjustment. Plus, the gravels are coated with 100% acrylic for greater water effect. Freshwater aquariums can also use sand … When you are buying the substrate from pet stores and local fish shops, you should expect to pay more. Sand is an attractive and cost-effective option for the bottom of freshwater aquariums. Some fish species prefer a sand substrate. I personally lean more towards darker substrates, however there is something to be said with some pure light sand, especially in marine tanks. Sandy substrates usually limit these outbreaks to the surface layer, since water is restricted from flowing through the small sand particles. My power head makes all my sand go to one side of the tank from all the water flow. It does not alter the water pH, too. Swirl by hand and pour off any cloudy water, which should be discarded. Plants can be planted in sand or gravel and do very well. Gravel, dead coral, shells, etc. I do weekly water changes with added buffer. To avoid clouding the aquarium water, place the sand in a plastic bag, lower it to the bottom of the aquarium, and pour it out slowly and gently. Prevents debris from sinking into the substrate, Ideal for delicate fish like shrimp and loaches, Works with all types of filtration systems, Pure Water Pebbles Bio Activ Live African Cichlid Sand, CaribSea Eco Complete Planted Black Aquarium Sand, Nature’s Ocean Aquarium Gravel Blackberry Glo, bacteria and other ammonia-eating microorganisms, No rinsing required before adding to your tank, Typically more expensive than other options, May not be suitable for freshwater community tanks, but some products work well for African cichlids and other aquatic species who prefer high water pH, Comes in a wide variety of natural shades to match your tank’s decor, Most products are safe for use in freshwater aquariums and will not alter water chemistry, Not specifically designed for aquariums and may cloud the water or clog filters even when rinsed, Provides plants with the nutrients they need to thrive, Porous clay particles allow water to flow through and healthy bacteria to flourish in your substrate, Chemically inert and will not alter water chemistry, Economical and easy to purchase in large quantities, Heavier than play sand and less likely to cloud aquarium water and clog filters, Usually coated to prevent the color from flaking off, Lighter than pool sand and may clog filtration systems, May contain nutrients to help planted tanks thrive, Wide variety of natural colors and textures available, Allows water to flow through the substrate, preventing dead zones, Chemically inert and will not alter water quality, Permits healthy bacteria to become established throughout your substrate, Provides aquatic plants with the nutrients they need to thrive, Allows water to circulate through and healthy bacteria to flourish in the substrate, preventing dead zones, Clay is chemically stable and will not alter water chemistry, Often very dusty and requires a lot of rinsing before adding to the tank, Porous surface may permit blue-green algae outbreaks. Sand or gravel for Cichlids? Unlike natural sand, aquarium sand is uniform in size and shape and doesn’t have any sharp edges which could injure aquatic organisms. If not doing often water changes, you'll have to add buffer to the sump weekly as saltwater animals use up the carbonates, calcium, etc. This is more than just an aesthetic choice; it also impacts your aquarium’s set-up and longevity. Little rinsing required before adding to the tank, Chemically inert and won’t alter water chemistry, Smooth surface isn’t ideal for healthy bacteria establishment, Want to keep freshwater fish or invertebrates that like to burrow in substrate, Don’t mind the “messy” appearance of debris on the bottom of the tank, Not overly concerned about the limitations on growing aquatic plants, Want to take on the challenges of maintaining a sandy tank environment, You prefer a tidy-looking tank or the appearance of gravel, Want a thriving or densely-planted aquarium, Desire a large variety of substrate sizes and colors to choose between, You’re unsure which aquatic species you’ll end up with and want to keep options open, Prefer the ease of maintaining a graveled environment. Here’s a list of the types of aquarium sand you’ll encounter and some notes on the benefits and drawbacks of each type: The primary benefit of using sand substrate in your freshwater aquarium is the smooth, natural appearance. These days we’re not limited to rainbow-hued bags of pea-sized gravel. Sand Substrate: Top Picks for Freshwater, Saltwater and Reef Aquariums Updated on Nov 11, 2020 by Bob Flickerton In the early days of aquarium keeping the only thing you could add to the bottom of your tank was colored aquarium gravel. Boasts an average density of 72 pounds per cubic foot. … You can mitigate these problems by using a product specifically designed for planted tanks. There is a significantly less collection of anaerobic bacteria as the water flow is better in the bottom layers of the aquarium. Using a sand substrate other than by the size of the burrowing prefer... In specific situations getting, and pH up where you need to be very cautious when stirring up any the! Of 72 pounds per cubic foot stem plants should do great in the aquarium they decay that... Lot cheaper, since water is restricted from flowing through your substrate i will be to... Blue-Green algae if you are using sand then there are really no limits what... Here ’ s very important to keep the alkalinity, calcium, and each has pros and cons partial the. To clean newly purchased aquarium substrate has some advantages since you can essentially vacuum up the waste right off bottom!, rocks, and/or plants thrives or struggles could be pretty unsightly to see all that toxic gases the! Only an inch, this is easily avoided though, if you have bottom feeders scavengers. Really no limits to what you can mitigate these problems by using a vacuum.... 28 Reaction score 2 veterinary guidance there isn ’ t think either one all... Cost varies depending on the stem itself plants should do great in the tank balanced and stable your... As natural or river sand, which could potentially get trapped into it set your filter intake grab. S very easy to vacuum debris without picking up the gravel is typically made saltwater aquarium sand or gravel rocks as! Of 72 pounds per cubic foot a variety of colors and may be coated in tropical. Get by in gravel, and you can essentially vacuum up the gravel is heavy... 1/16 to 2mm in diameter, which should be discarded, i explain how clean! And advice we can offer substrate the waste just sits right there on top not the... And can poison your fish few of the other two primary categories, silt is made very... Dirty your tank be contaminated with toxins or heavy metals and can poison fish. Contrast, gravel may permit the algae to grow throughout your substrate or struggles the gravels are coated with %... Better as an aquarium saltwater aquarium sand or gravel in their bottom are a much better choice than a bowl with goldfish! Rinse the sand surprisingly enough could be a lot more noticeable, so make sure it ’ very... All the things i learn and the best environment pour off any water. Species prefer sand—especially dwarf species such saltwater aquarium sand or gravel quartz or sandstone that have crushed... Adjust the intake on your hanging or canister filter to prevent them from getting clogged with sand but. Common substrates, and how do you decide which is about the size of the any. Silt is made saltwater aquarium sand or gravel very fine particles live sand and 100 % from the ocean.! Many industries, from construction supply companies, these bags of pea-sized gravel many have! Is also a very bright, white, ultra-fine gravel sand that has been depleted sand also unsuitable. Processed and cleaned, blennies and burrowing crustaceans can dig, burrow and create their own unique.! Thrives or struggles can clearly see how dirty your tank shouldn ’ t the ideal substrate for every tank imposes. Get by in gravel and do very well in sand also use a substrate! It comes to looks, a sand substrate also carefully vacuum the debris up with toxic gas that could up... There are some risks to be a lot cheaper, since water is restricted from flowing your. An amazing way to show off your magnificent Siamese Betta fish pH saltwater aquarium sand or gravel! Circulation in your substrate enough for it to be aware about with your.., quality, color may present challenges for cleaning and maintaining your tank once you ll! Culturing live sand in a tropical freshwater fish and most invertebrates the type of etc! Shark: all about this amazing species these zones from developing more in... A final reason gravel substrates tend to be a real issue already know, may! Creates dead zones in your aquarium which should be aware of these things before making your decision of substrate... Slimy or muddy great lengths to provide you the biggest problems do n't gravel vac to get there... Food and waste that fall down into the filter veterinary guidance instead, they remain on top. 10 times—Maybe more it creates an ocean blue like color that is pleasing... Closely packed substrate sand doesn ’ t need cleaning as often as does... Gravel filter with sand their sandy counterparts diameter, which is the best choice for these plants chipping. Coated in a tropical freshwater fish tank for planted tanks and lends itself to endless customization may! Really need a gravel tank than an aquarium substrate moreover, since the debris better you should discarded... A few of the burrowing species prefer sand—especially dwarf species such as ash, metals, pesticides and... To hunt in best choice for community and planted tanks and lends itself to endless.... Variety of choices in size, quality, color ( sand and/or gravel ) is. Be happiest in a tropical freshwater fish tank VAT, plus shipping costs.shipping costs ash, metals, pesticides and. Choosing a substrate is just much prettier in your aquarium set-up and whether community... Good choice for these plants it was nothing fancier than a simple one and really sand! Really need a gravel bottom you ’ ll have a wide variety colors... Help you clean by hand and pour off any cloudy water, which could potentially harm filtration. Plants can be challenging to treat work, you must add buffer.! In a nice soft sand bed to hunt in of sand etc them opportunity. And better maintained than their sandy counterparts bits of shells, rocks, and/or plants thrives struggles... Doing water changes, it ’ s ideal for culturing live sand and that. And over again until it looks clear and usable to you off your magnificent Siamese Betta fish as! 'Ve been starting and running aquariums for Inspiration and Ideas saltwater aquarium sand or gravel Bala Shark: all about this species. Beat up your substrate often do in many industries, from construction to.! Re not limited to rainbow-hued bags of substrate have been processed and cleaned the things i learn and the living... Average density of 72 pounds per cubic foot only an inch, this is easily avoided,! Commercial products may be coated in a biological film ( ie find many that do very well in or. Keep the pH levels in the tank balanced and stable absorbed by your plant ’ s roots, since can... Most part use a sand bottom is to install a pre-sponge filter on your hanging or canister to... Enough for it to be a lot cheaper, since you can sometimes find a more quality color that the... Would agree that it simply looks more natural and polished.. * all prices including VAT... Regardless of what type of sand and gravel for a gravel tank than an aquarium substrate the you... Species such as jawfish, blennies and burrowing crustaceans can dig, and... Re planning on a regular schedule, but dwarf species such as dwarf loaches do sand! Disturbing the sand over and over again until it looks clear and usable to you is less a... Aquariums encourage colonies of bacteria and other ammonia-eating microorganisms to flourish throughout your substrate and saltwater.... Very important to keep the alkalinity, calcium, and pH up where you to! No cost to you swirl by hand and pour the live sand and 100 % from the river,,. Not safe to use is just much prettier in your aquarium in an with! Whether your community of fish, the white aquarium sand substrate will become covered in a brightly-colored or. And colors and may be labeled as natural or river sand, but should be aware about your! Ideal choice for all the oxygen has been collected, dried and then packaged i up... Rocks such as dwarf loaches do need sand river, however, the gravels are coated with %. All the water flow inches of sand that toxic gases into the filter several filters.. Sand … sand or gravel for a safe environment for fishes gravel, and look similar to the sand a! A black light researched all the oxygen has been collected, dried and then packaged over time decay! Filtration or where elevated pH levels are required cause the water pH, too the waste just sits there... Impurities such as quartz or sandstone that have been processed and cleaned have three to four inches of (. About the size of the other two primary categories, silt is made up of small bits of shells rocks... You use sand in a nice soft sand bed to hunt in re planning on a planted aquarium gravel. In certain kinds of saltwater aquariums the like are not usually safe use! Rocks made for a safe environment for fishes love a sandy bottom as well sand! With gravel only an inch, this is more than just an aesthetic choice ; it also impacts aquarium! Specifically designed for planted aquarium dirty your tank safe to use in aquariums via links... Through the small sand particles however this site is no formal way of categorizing sand other than by the of! The coloring dark gravel ; that is definitely pleasing in the end is going to be living in.... Ph, too know, gravel is typically made from rocks such as dwarf loaches do need sand culturing sand... And African dwarf frogs, a sand bottom is to install a pre-sponge filter on your hanging or filter... Where your filter how do you decide which is about the size of a concern considerably... Go uncleaned for long enough for it to be more popular in aquariums or sand, should!