| During the preparation of your freshwater | | | | Large aquarium shops usually have at least six |
| aquarium, choosing sand as your substrate is not | | | | different types of sand to choose from. Black |
| much of a dilemma. The biggest reason, of | | | | Tahitian moon sand, Aragonite sand, Coral Sand, |
| course, is the fact that sand is the most common | | | | Black Beauty Sand which is also known as |
| substrate in the wild freshwater systems like | | | | powdered iron slag, and the popular silica sand |
| lakes, ponds and streams. | | | | which is also known as blasting sand and play |
| As such, most fish are naturally more familiar with | | | | sand. |
| it than with any other kind like rocks and stones | | | | Silica sand |
| and some plain underwater soil. Aside from this, | | | | This is the sand used by the sand blasting |
| certain species of fish with delicate barbells will not | | | | industry. Relatively cheap (around 100 lbs. for $10), |
| have any problems digging around. Some others | | | | it is pale tan and the texture is extremely fine. |
| actually dig and hide under the sand. | | | | Black beauty |
| For one, sand has many advantages than the | | | | Black beauty sand is not found in nature - it is a |
| other substrate choices for your aquarium. | | | | powdered iron slag. It is also used by the |
| Because of its being ever-present in many places, | | | | sand-blasting industry. |
| fish are naturally familiar with it. They are the best | | | | This type of sand will definitely alter the |
| for fishes with delicate barbells and for those who | | | | chemistry inside your aquarium. What's more, |
| are natural burrowers and diggers. | | | | powdered iron slag may have sharp edges which |
| Inside your freshwater aquarium, sand harbors | | | | are not ideal for those fish species that |
| the useful bacteria that help process the whole | | | | continuously sift sand. |
| ecosystem inside. (Gravel has less surface areas | | | | Play sand |
| compared to it.) They are also perfect for | | | | Play sand is more diverse in grain size and color |
| growing your tank's underwater plants. | | | | than silica sand. It is also darker than silica and has |
| Depending on the kind of fish you have, sand is | | | | much clay in it. |
| good lining for the bottom of a fish tank, | | | | It is cheap, and is sold in large quantities for use in |
| especially for those with delicate types of fish. | | | | filling up sand boxes. It can also be bought from |
| There are many species who like to hide and | | | | home supply stores because it is also used in |
| burrow into the sand. They cannot do that in | | | | making brickwork. |
| gravel.there are many advantages of having sand | | | | Coral sand |
| in your fish tank like it makes setting up your | | | | This is usually used in aquariums to keep the pH |
| decorations and plants nuch easier than with | | | | value alkaline, and the water hard. It is more |
| gravel. Sand is not just the ideal medium for your | | | | expensive than silica sand, iron slag, and play sand, |
| aquatic plants, but it also harbors the useful | | | | but cheaper than aragonite. |
| bacteria needed for the whole tank ecosystem. | | | | It is made from crushed corals, this is usually |
| Gravel has less surface area than sand and that is | | | | white with a diverse grain size as well. |
| why it is a less favorable surface for good | | | | Aragonite |
| bacteria to form on. | | | | This is one of the most expensive of all types of |
| Advantages | | | | aquarium sand. It is available in various colors and |
| In the natural world, sand is the bottom surface | | | | grain sizes for differet applications. |
| of most fish habitats that include ponds, rivers, | | | | Like the coral sand, the aragonite can also help in |
| and lakes. This makes it more natural for your | | | | adjusting the pH value and the water hardness in |
| fish and for breeders, make a note that some | | | | the aquarium. |
| species will only breed in sand filled aquariums. | | | | Tahitian moon sand |
| Some species of fish even eat a little sand to help | | | | Another expensive variety of sand is the famous |
| in their digestion. Needless to say, sand is also ideal | | | | black Tahitian moon sand. Beautiful by itself, the |
| for the many species of aquatic plants. | | | | black Tahitian moon sand can make your colorful |
| Precautions | | | | fish even be more showy because their colors |
| However, when using sand for your aquariums | | | | are enhanced when placed in contrast against the |
| substrate let's review a common mistake. This | | | | black sand. |
| mistake is not to control the thickness of your | | | | The black Tahitian moon sand is not iron slag. |
| sand layer. Fine sand has a tendency to have | | | | Setup |
| "dead pockets", which are those areas without | | | | As with most things (including sand), anything |
| any water circulation and thus no oxygen | | | | introduced into your freshwater aquarium needs |
| circulation .biological and ecological filtration cannot | | | | to be cleaned and free from substances (and live |
| happen in sand that does not 'breathe' so it | | | | things) that will pollute your tank. |
| becomes oxygen poor. If you want your sand | | | | The best way to do this is to thoroughly clean |
| substrate thick, be sure to disturb it regularly. You | | | | the sand by passing it through water to remove |
| can have some animals or fish that can do that | | | | the debris and other detritus (living or dead) that |
| for you - dig tunnels, burrow, and generally move | | | | will dirty up your aquarium. |
| the sand around. | | | | Maintenance |
| Types | | | | It is good policy to vacuum the sand every 2 to |
| The importance of the choice of types of sand | | | | 4 weeks, and siphon off floating debris. If you |
| for your aquarium has been a source of wisdom | | | | don't have animals to do it for you, manually |
| among long-time aquarium owners for many | | | | churn the sand around 4 to 6 times a year. |
| decades . There are several considerations and | | | | Churning releases trapped gas (and wastes) under |
| you may need more than one to balance your | | | | the inert sand. |
| choice. | | | | Move the stones and other décor (and the fish, |
| One important factor is the mineral content of | | | | if possible) and vacuum the water. Turn off the |
| the sand which can affect the water chemistry. | | | | pumps and filters first before churning and wait |
| The color and the size of the sand grains are also | | | | for everything to settle down before turning |
| important. | | | | them on again. |
| Some fish species are shy and they could be less | | | | Choosing the right sand for your freshwater |
| stressed (threatened) if a brightly-colored sand is | | | | aquarium is like choosing the right landscape for |
| changed into something darker. Smoothe rounded | | | | your house. It will not only please your eyes but it |
| sand and fine sand is best if your fish have soft | | | | certainly helps the lives of your fish. |
| bellies or like to bite at the sand. | | | | |