Is Sand a Suitable Substrate for Aquariums?

It can be challenging to decide on using sand as a substrate in your aquarium or not. Using epoxy-coated colorful rocks is outdated.

Adding sand to your tank could add a natural feel and help bring natural beauty to the room. Using sand instead of gravel brings a sophisticated sense to your tank.

It will make your tank a centerpiece of the room. There are multiple types of sand you could add to your aquarium:

• Play Sand is the most inexpensive sand to add to your tank. You can purchase play sand at the hardware store for very cheap. Play sand comes in various colors and grain sizes, so it is an excellent way to have an aesthetically pleasing substrate.
• Silica Pool Sand is a type of sand that is commonly used in pools, but it is an excellent substrate for aquariums! Unlike other types of sand, silica pool sand can be purchased in many more colors and grain sizes. This type of sand allows a more extensive range of customization; however, it tends to be the more expensive option.
• Blasting Sand is another inexpensive option for buying sand for your aquarium. Blasting sand is much more consistent in grain size and color than playing sand. If you find that play sand isn’t refined enough for you, blasting sand might be the best option.

 There are many benefits and downsides to using sand as a substrate in your tank.

Benefits of using Sand in a Fish Tank

• Sand will help brighten the appearance of your tank. Sand gives your tank a more natural feel to it. Using sand will show your guests that you are caring for a micro-ecosystem instead of using colorful rocks. In addition, using sand makes the tank look more realistic. Rivers and the ocean does not have neon-colored stones in them. Colorful stones are outdated and tacky.
• Some fish will prefer sand over gravel. Some species of fish consume sand to help with digestion. Other fish species like to burrow in the sand so that the sand would be a better choice than gravel. Filtering may be a sand issue, but if you have fish that like to burrow, they will filter the sand themselves. Gravel and pebbles could injure your fish if they tried to burrow in it. Gravel can also prevent natural feeding behaviors your fish may have.
• Sand is very easy to clean and maintain. Most people choose gravel and pebbles because they feel like it will be easier than using sand. The cleaning process is much different, but it is no more time-consuming and complicated than cleaning the gravel.
• Sand does not need to be changed out as often. If you use sand as a substrate for your tank, you will not need to change it out as much as gravel or pebbles. Some may find this to be more convenient. In addition, since the sand is so closely compacted, it does not allow food particles and dead plants to sneak to its bottom. Instead, it will sit on top of the sand and make it easier to clean it up before it decays.

Reasons against using sand as a substrate

• Some fish, such as goldfish, could suffer if you use sand in their tank. Goldfish are incapable of digesting the sand properly if they consume it. As a result, they will get an intestinal blockage. Goldfish should be put in an aquarium with pebbles.
• Aquarium plants could also prefer gravel or sand, so it’s best to research that before adding it to your tank.
• For freshwater aquariums, gravel substrate may be the better option. The gravel allows water to flow through it more than it would with sand. This will help prevent the buildup of amoebas and bacteria in the substrate. If these build up for too long, it could make your fish sick and create mold in your tank.
• Unlike sand, gravel substrate is heavy enough that it will not get pulled into the filters in your tank. Therefore, sand could potentially clog the filters and cause them to work less efficiently. It is important to clean your filters often if you are using sand as a substrate.

How to Prepare your Sand as a Substrate?

It does not matter which type of sand you decide to use. All kinds of sand will have to be adequately prepared before being put inside a tank.

• Measure out how much sand you will need. It is typical to use around a pound of sand per gallon of water.
• Rinse and clean your sand. This is probably the most critical step. If you do not clean and rinse the sand, there will be excess dust. This excess dust could cause cloudiness in your tank, which could last for weeks. To rinse and clean sand correctly, put it into a bucket and fill it with water. Stir the sand around. Pour out the dirty water. You must repeat this process until the water runs clear. This can be quite a tedious task, but it is imperative. It will be beneficial in the long run.
• Add the rinsed sand to a dry and empty aquarium. Then add water. If you place a plate on top of the sand and then pour the water over it, it will keep the sand from stirring up so much dust.
• Be patient! It is ubiquitous to create small dust clouds no matter how careful you are when placing the sand in the tank. It’s essential to keep that in mind and not let it upset you. It will settle down after a few days. If your sand tends to be on the dusty side, a power filter could help. A power filter would help clear the dusty water for you.

Using sand instead of gravel in your aquariums helps give it a more natural feel. Most fish prefer sand over gravel so they can burrow themselves in it. Using sand will help bring the whole tank together, and your fish will thank you!