Gravel or Sand for Plants

Thomas · 01-09-2006, 09:53 AM

I have heard of two different opinions.... what do you say - is sand better or is gravel better for plants ... or about the same ???? Please vote

**Damon** · 01-09-2006, 11:04 AM

By "gravel" what do you mean? If you are speaking of aquarium gravel you get at the lfs, I'd vote sand but don't care for eithe one.

Cosmic Charlie · 01-09-2006, 04:33 PM

Neither for me...

Thomas · 01-10-2006, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simpte

By "gravel" what do you mean? If you are speaking of aquarium gravel you get at the lfs, I'd vote sand but don't care for eithe one.

I mean pea gravel from LFS.

According to the reply so far, it seems that they are about the same. Perhaps there will be more voter to come

**Damon** · 01-10-2006, 11:25 AM

They are about the same, both pretty much useless.

stealth · 01-11-2006, 05:31 AM

Simpte if sand and gravel are not your choice what would your preference be?

**Damon** · 01-11-2006, 07:23 AM

Calcinied clay (most aquatic substrates are made of this). You can get a bag of turface or similiar for about $12.00. That gives you 50 lbs. Cheap and very effective.

Cosmic Charlie · 01-11-2006, 04:26 PM

I use Eco Complete. Very nice.

shev · 01-11-2006, 05:26 PM

I'd say sand is a little better than gravel, for the roots. but the finer the gravel, the more easily it is compacted which may restrict nutrients and cause anaerobic pockets to form.

fishfreaks · 01-11-2006, 08:21 PM

We use eco complete and have had great results.

Quote:

I'd say sand is a little better than gravel, for the roots. but the finer the gravel, the more easily it is compacted which may restrict nutrients and cause anaerobic pockets to form.

That's what I was going to say

dmarcus · 04-13-2006, 11:48 AM

ive heard that a mixture of 2 parts small gravel to 1 part sand is really good for live plants, has anyone else heard something like this?

Thomas · 04-18-2006, 02:54 AM

Haven't heard of that. But sounds that the sand will simply fill up all the gaps between gravels.... increase the danger of anaerobic pockets ??

RockabillyChick · 04-18-2006, 06:50 AM

i use sand and my plants are doing great. i also have Malaysian trumpet snails to keep anaerobic pockets from forming.

**SueM** · 04-18-2006, 07:44 AM

I use Flourite mainly, but I've also used kitty litter (nothing added).
and a good low calcium sand added works great. If you live by the great lakes,
you got it made. The sand/small gravel is rich in both clay and calcium.
I found a beach and filled buckets, the stuff is great.
Here's a couple really good articles on substrates.....
http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Plants.htm
http://www.vectrapoint.com/main/manual/bm32.html

Ramis · 04-18-2006, 07:51 AM

I've always used Gravel so I can't really say anything about sand but I don't see anything wrong with it..so I voted about hte same

DUSTIN323 · 04-18-2006, 09:52 AM

Yeah comparing standard gravel to standadr sand either or. The thing about gravel is there is substrates that can be mixed in with them, though you could do the same with sand the substrates are usually like gravel. Now if your going Flourite(or somethin of the such) compared to sand. Then of course Flourite, though it's not nescecarry with all plants.

**Damon** · 04-18-2006, 10:14 AM

All plants need the same nutrients to grow, though not all in the same amounts per day. SOme plants have higher uptake rates (hygros) than others (crypts).

View Poll Results: Sand or Gravel for Plants
Sand is better	3	18.75%
Gravel is better	5	31.25%
About the same	4	25.00%
Depending on the type of plants	4	25.00%
Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

01-09-2006, 09:53 AM	#1
Thomas Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 97	Gravel or Sand for Plants I have heard of two different opinions.... what do you say - is sand better or is gravel better for plants ... or about the same ???? Please vote

01-09-2006, 11:04 AM	#2
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	By "gravel" what do you mean? If you are speaking of aquarium gravel you get at the lfs, I'd vote sand but don't care for eithe one. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

01-10-2006, 11:25 AM	#5
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	They are about the same, both pretty much useless. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

01-11-2006, 05:31 AM	#6
stealth Interested fishman Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Central Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 123	Simpte if sand and gravel are not your choice what would your preference be? __________________ 10 Gallon: 1 Blue Dwarf Gourami 1 Mickey Mouse Platy 2 Tequila Guppies 3 Guppy/endler crosses too many dang snails

Members currently in the Chat:7
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01-09-2006, 04:33 PM	#3
Cosmic Charlie Phish lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lilburn, Georgia Age: 34 Posts: 96	Neither for me...

01-11-2006, 07:23 AM	#7
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Calcinied clay (most aquatic substrates are made of this). You can get a bag of turface or similiar for about $12.00. That gives you 50 lbs. Cheap and very effective. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

01-11-2006, 04:26 PM	#8
Cosmic Charlie Phish lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lilburn, Georgia Age: 34 Posts: 96	I use Eco Complete. Very nice.

01-11-2006, 05:26 PM	#9
shev Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Montana Age: 19 Posts: 1,561	I'd say sand is a little better than gravel, for the roots. but the finer the gravel, the more easily it is compacted which may restrict nutrients and cause anaerobic pockets to form.

04-13-2006, 11:48 AM	#11
dmarcus Plant crazy Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New Jersey Age: 24 Posts: 75	ive heard that a mixture of 2 parts small gravel to 1 part sand is really good for live plants, has anyone else heard something like this? __________________ Plant fool 5 gallon Bowl 1 paradise fish 10 gallon 2 australian rainbow fish, 1 veilltailed blue ram 29 gallon heavily planted, 1 clown pleco, 2 bolivian rams, 7 amano shrimp, 1 bamboo shrimp, 3 yoyo loaches, 6 featherfin rainbow fish, 2 dwarf neon flame gouramis

04-18-2006, 02:54 AM	#12
Thomas Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 97	Haven't heard of that. But sounds that the sand will simply fill up all the gaps between gravels.... increase the danger of anaerobic pockets ??

04-18-2006, 06:50 AM	#13
RockabillyChick Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Age: 23 Posts: 298	i use sand and my plants are doing great. i also have Malaysian trumpet snails to keep anaerobic pockets from forming. __________________ She does nothing to deserve it He only wants to observe it We sit back like they taught us We keep quiet like they taught us He just wants, he wants to prove it She does nothing to remove it We don't want anyone to mind us So we play the roles that they assigned us She does nothing to conceal it He touches her 'cause he wants to feel it We blame her for being there But we are all guilty http://rockabillychick.deviantart.com/

04-18-2006, 07:44 AM	#14
SueM Administrator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Kennewick, WA. Age: 50 Posts: 1,056	I use Flourite mainly, but I've also used kitty litter (nothing added). and a good low calcium sand added works great. If you live by the great lakes, you got it made. The sand/small gravel is rich in both clay and calcium. I found a beach and filled buckets, the stuff is great. Here's a couple really good articles on substrates..... http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Plants.htm http://www.vectrapoint.com/main/manual/bm32.html __________________ Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled

04-18-2006, 07:51 AM	#15
Ramis Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 51	I've always used Gravel so I can't really say anything about sand but I don't see anything wrong with it..so I voted about hte same __________________ Soon to be fish: Pigmy Cory Cat, Pair of Guppies and a Chocolate Lyre Tail Vote For FishForums!

04-18-2006, 09:52 AM	#16
DUSTIN323 ~/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\~ Join Date: Sep 2005 Age: 20 Posts: 522	Yeah comparing standard gravel to standadr sand either or. The thing about gravel is there is substrates that can be mixed in with them, though you could do the same with sand the substrates are usually like gravel. Now if your going Flourite(or somethin of the such) compared to sand. Then of course Flourite, though it's not nescecarry with all plants. __________________ Gen1Performance.com Gen 1 Performance Forum

04-18-2006, 10:14 AM	#17
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	All plants need the same nutrients to grow, though not all in the same amounts per day. SOme plants have higher uptake rates (hygros) than others (crypts). __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

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