![]() ![]() These sands are not as uniform in size or the right size to allow enough space between grains of sand for oxygen to get to the whole sand bed (it isn’t what they are designed for at all). Many people prefer to save a few bucks by using cheapo sands that are not made for use in aquariums (play sand, pool filter sand, etc.). In my experience this is an issue having to do with the type of sand used, not sand in general. Many people have a concern about pockets of anoxic bacteria developing, which can give off toxic hydrogen sulfide gas. Even people who have used other aquarium sands can have a lot of trouble believing me when I say it really is no work at all, ever. There are other aquarium sands out there but I haven’t talked to anyone who has had the same experience with any of them that I have had with Estes (no cleaning/rinsing, no maintenance, no gas pockets, etc.) so I cannot recommend them. It will NOT alter the pH, hardness, add silicates, or do anything. Since it has a polymer/ceramic coating the silicate base is completely sealed off. Estes requires no cleaning or rinsing, just pour it in. The mix hides anything that may fall to the bottom. This is not too dark but not too light (fish will lighten their colors if they are on a light colored background or substrate). I usually do a half black and half white mix. It is large enough to allow oxygen to get to the entire sand bed (even with 3 inches of sand), yet small enough to keep all the debris on top. It is the perfect grain size and very uniform. This is in my experience by far the best sand on the market. I actually had to start using gravel again in order to make maintenance jobs more work.Įstes Marine Sand (also known as Stoney River, Ultra Reef, and National Geographic): ![]() They saw the amount of work it took and some decided they would do it themselves. In fact sand is so little maintenance I had to STOP using it on clients’ tanks because the maintenance was too easy. If there is not enough flow then the debris collects in a few spots that are easy to vacuum out during weekly water changes. This means less cleaning and a cleaner tank. If there is enough flow in the tank the debris will keep moving until it is collected by the filters. The space between sand grains is not enough for a significant amount of debris to get in. The debris can buildup which in time can break down and rot, which increases nitrate and phosphate and lowers water quality. There is much more space between pieces of gravel, enough to allow debris in. The piles and slopes they create with sand are not as steep as they would be if they have a larger grain substrate such as gravel. Sand is more natural for these species, as well as easier for them to do this. This behavior is allowed for much better with sand instead of gravel. Many fish like to sift through the substrate looking for food. Most will have a substrate of sand, some even silt or mud (which we can’t have in an aquarium). Sand is more natural, easier to clean, and looks much better.Īlmost all the fish we keep in aquariums are from waters that naturally have a flow much lower than would allow gravel as a substrate. Sand as a substrate has many advantages over gravel. ![]()
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