Aquarium Gravel--Can I Use Pea Gravel? Type of Sand?

[FunGi]

Hello everyone, I have never tried this but I am hoping that I can just clean up some pea gravel and use that in my aquariums.  It is a TON cheaper than buying aquarium gravel from the stores.

Also, I have never tried a sand bottom tank.  What kind of sand should I use and how do you keep it clean?  I have used gravel over the years with a gravel vacuum to clean it so it is really all I am used to.

Thanks, any of your help would be appreciated.  As I assume this will be one of the questions:  I keep mainly African Malawi Cichlids and a few South Americans.  Other than that just some general community freshwater fish.  Thanks.

Steve

[hezekiah]

pea gravel will work but it takes so looooooong to get it clean, i will not spend the time cleaning it again.

[Ron]

I use sand in my tanks and went with a courser grain pool filter sand. It takes a longer time to wash than aquarium gravel FWIW, but it's not impossible to get it really clean. Since it's a larger grain than other kinds of sand (play sand, etc) it tends to stay put on the bottom of the tank better.

A common complaint I see is that you can't use a gravel vac on it. Instead you have to just carefully syphon waste off the surface of the sand with an open hose end. Then people complain about the amount of sand they accidently syphon up, but it was only $8.50/50lbs last time I bought it (probably more now), so adding some new material back isn't expensive. Or if you really suck up a lot of sand but use a bucket, you can easily pour out the waste water and add the sand back to the tank.

[Frenchie]

When i used gravel and needed to clean it, I use a old screen in a 1x1 fram, Cleans up in a hurry.
Had sand once, Watch out for the gas if you dont clean it for a while. It alfull !!!!

[auratus]

I buy pool filter sand wash it well first cheap works great

[SKISWETPETS]

I have pea gravel in a few of my tanks, your right its way cheaper... Especially this time of year when you get the 50lb bag or what ever it is, on clearance for like 2$....

[Dan K]

I just converted two 36" tanks to sand today...came to about $5 per tank using pool filter sand. Looks much better than gravel and forces me to keep cleaner tanks. When the poo is settling in the gravel it is easy to become "out of sight, out of mind".

[Super Turtleman]

I use regular play sand cuz I couldn't find PFS. Clean it at least 3 times and it's good to go. You do have to stir it up once in a while and all the poo sits on top instead of dropping down below. I like it better than gravel.

[FunGi]

Thanks all who have given their input.  I am wondering where do you buy the pool filtering sand?

Steve

[auratus]

Some, not all pool supply places carry it, call some they usally have some

[Frenchie]

Thanks all who have given their input.  I am wondering where do you buy the pool filtering sand?

Steve

If you need gravel, P/m me i have a lot.