![]() There is no formal way of categorizing sand other than by the size of the particles. Unlike sand straight from the river, however, these bags of substrate have been processed and cleaned. Unlike natural sand, aquarium sand is uniform in size and shape and doesn’t have any sharp edges which could injure aquatic organisms.Ĭommercial products may be labeled as natural or river sand, and look similar to the sand you see along a waterfront. ![]() Natural sand is made up of small bits of shells, rocks, and/or organic materials with a diameter from 1/16 to 2mm.Īquarium sand is usually made from crushed quartz, coral, or minerals such as aragonite, or is manufactured artificially from a silica base. Sand comes in a variety of shades and colors and may be extremely fine or nearly as coarse as gravel. If you’re looking to recreate the smooth, tranquil appearance of a river bottom or lake, then aquarium sand might be your substrate of choice! Sand is an attractive and cost-effective option for the bottom of freshwater aquariums. What are the differences between sand and gravel aquariums, and how do you decide which is the best substrate for your tank? Overview of Aquarium Sand While there are a variety of options for the bottom of your tank, including using potting soil, peat, or even leaving it bare, most aquarists opt for either gravel or a sandy bottom. The material you choose impacts your aquarium set-up and whether your community of fish, invertebrates, and/or plants thrives or struggles. You can create nearly any effect you want in your tank by choosing the right substrate. These days we’re not limited to rainbow-hued bags of pea-sized gravel. There weren’t many commercial options for substrate in the 1980s, so it’s probably no surprise my 8-year-old self gravitated towards the bags of sparkling blue and green gravel. It was nothing fancier than a bowl with feeder goldfish and African dwarf frogs. I remember setting up my first aquarium as a child. ![]()
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