I have gravel in my aquarium but I'm thinking of getting sand because it looks better but is is good for the tank.I have a gravel vacuum but I don't think I can use it on sand please help.

Hello again,
Yes I agree that sand looks nicer than some gravel, the downside being the fact that it's slightly more trouble to clean.

I have used play sand from Woodies and it's good in that it's cheap...however - despite claims that it's
pre-washed - it takes an awful amount of clean water washing it in a bucket before the unpleasant 'scum' is totally washed away.

The 'pukka' Aquarium Sand is a goodly bit more expensive, but well worth the extra, in my opinion.

You can get 'gas' build-ups in the sand after a while but this can be dispersed to a large extent by merely running you fingers through it whereupon the gases will rise to the surface.
Likewise with cleaning it, being much denser than even the finest gravel all your 'mulm' will settle on top. If you create a small 'low' area - say in one corner - and give the sand the same 'finger-running' treatment...it (the 'mulm' should then settle at the lowest point where you'll be able to syphon it out (carefully!). And yes, you were right - you would not be able to use your gravel syphon, it would be far too efficient at sucking up the sand...

John

Thanks for that,I already have gravel in my tank so I was going to put the sand on top of that and then put some plants in.Hope that would be okay.

You will find that if you try to put sand on top of gravel it will always settle amongst the spaces between the gravel and you really do need a lot of sand before it totally can cover the gravel and I found (voice of experience here) that, whether through the actions of the fish or for some inexplicable reason, pieces of gravel always seemed to come out 'on top' of the sand. Hopefully, if you go down this route, this will not be your experience too...but it happened with me - eventually it all had to come out and a new sand-only substrate had to go in.
John

Thanks I will keep that in mind.

I would agree with every thing John has said!

Just some points first sand can not be used with an under gravel filter!

I would always ask what fish you keep want to keep there are a small few that will prefer gravel but they are few

personally i prefer a mix of sand and gravel i try for between 20 and 40% gravel this helps gas escape and sand is aerated it slightly reduced the maintenance but remember lack of maintenance results in ugly black lines or streak's i find a plastic fork very useful. i do use a gravel cleaner i have some spare sand but i find the heaver sand will stay while the unwanted will rise hold the nozzle above the sand about 3/4 of an inch i find best and glide over the the are you want to clean speed i find the key to slow and sand will be pulled up so practice practice practice

As for choice of sand well i used silver sand from my LFS. others would use many different types just one word of warning be carefull sands been sold maybe crushed glass and some may effect Ph.

My tank looks great since I put the sand in on top of the gravel,the odd bit of gravel has come up on top but my main problem is my plants do not look healthy since I added the sand,does any one have any ideas why the plants have not taken to the sand.

Im delighted this topic has come up again as today Im on the lookout for sand for my tank!
So can anyone advise how much sand I should get,its for a 160 litre tank. Also Im guessing I add the sand (after washing it of course),before adding the water and switching everything on? (Altho Im waiting on zooplus for my filter!). What type sand should I use,I want it to be nice and white if possible. Also I note that I too will be using a gravel siphon to clean the sand, Ive seen it done before and I think it practice to a large extend.
I just hope my local fish shop has the sand but Im guessing they may not,she tells everyone to go with gravel!
G