You only really need the bacteria to grow fast if you’re eager to fill your tank with new fish. Note that if you’re in a hurry to set up your fish tank, it might be best to buy live sand. It will take a bit longer, but you’ll get there eventually. That’s because bacteria are bound to start growing in your tank anyway, so you don’t really need to worry about buying live sand. Live sand can be more expensive than regular sand, so if you’re on a budget, you don’t have to bother with it.Īlthough it is beneficial, you don’t need to start your fish tank out with live sand. This is the same bacteria we discussed a bit earlier that helps keep your fish tank clean and healthy. Live sand gets its name because it has been cultured with bacteria. You can use either inert sand (also known as dry sand) or live sand in your fish tank. Live Sand or Inert Sand in Your Fish Tank? At that depth, oxygen can’t reach the bottom sand layer.Ī fish tank with a deep sand bed is good at turning ammonia into nitrites and denitrification. It is essential that you have a sand bed deeper than 6 inches (15.24 cm). Potential Denitrificationĭenitrification is a necessary process that removes nitrogen from the tank. These creatures eat algae and debris in your tank without negatively affecting your fish. They all play a role in keeping your tank healthy and clean. Many ocean creatures such as snails, worms, jawfish, and shrimp need to live in areas with a sand substrate. You can create a beautiful tank that is healthy and attractive if you use sand intelligently. If you want to fill your tank with colorful fish and do some aquascaping, you’ll love sand. One of the main reasons people first think about using sand is that it looks nice and natural. Although there are other options such as chemical filtration, biological is the most natural and cheapest solution for your fish tank. Your tank must have biological filtration to break down the toxic ammonia fish produce as waste products. Sand gives the bacteria plenty of space to grow and thrive. If you have a saltwater fish tank, you need biological filtration, which bacteria that grow on the rock and sand in your tank does. Let’s take a closer look at them so you can be sure you want and need sand in your tank. There are several functions that sand fulfills when used in a fish tank. So, the choice really depends on the fish you have and what fish you plan to add to your tank in the future. On the other hand, goldfish can suffer intestinal blockages if they accidentally ingest sand. Some species of cichlids, for example, consume sand particles as it helps them to digest their food. Old plant matter and food also tend to stay on the top rather than sink and decay.Ĭertain fish and plants also just prefer sand over gravel. It also doesn’t allow water to flow through it as easily as gravel does.Ĭlosely packed sand substrate won’t need replacement as often as gravel, which can be a great bonus for busy fish owners. This is because sand feels more natural and is better at mimicking the riverbeds and lake environments that fish thrive in. Why Sand Makes a Great SubstrateĪlthough many fish lovers feel that gravel is better for fish tanks, sand is often a favorite choice. We’ll also talk about different types of sand and all the equipment you need for this type of tank. This article will help you calculate how much sand you’ll need for a 55 gallon tank. Your desired depth will also influence the amount of sand a shallow layer will need less sand. You should have between 25 and 145 pounds (11.3 and 65.8 kilograms) of sand in a 55 gallon tank, depending on its shape and the type of fish you want to keep. That’s why it’s essential to know how much sand will be enough to make them happy. Giving fish the best possible environment to live in is a priority for all pet fish owners.
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