which cap is better Sand or Gravel

i just finished dirting my 10 gallon when i came across a question which i did not really know how to answer which cap is better in your opinion and list why?

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Permalink Reply by PaducahFishFan on August 26, 2011 at 3:47pm

I'm using black sand. I love it because I don't get the glare kick back from the lights. It also makes it easier to see things that need cleaning. I like sand more than gravel and I've had both. The advantage of sand is you can over feed and not have the food fall in the cracks of the gravel. My cory cats and other bottom feeders benefit greatly with a sand bottom.

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Permalink Reply by Hmoobthor on August 26, 2011 at 5:58pm

i advise you to use fine gravel over sand.

In my video, I talk about sand vs gravel and the impact it will have on dirt tank.

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Permalink Reply by Tito An on August 26, 2011 at 7:28pm

can you please send a link?

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Permalink Reply by PaducahFishFan on August 26, 2011 at 7:31pm

http://fishtanktv.com/video/removed-glass-top-new-t5ho-lights-tool-...

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Permalink Reply by Hmoobthor on August 26, 2011 at 9:09pm

its on my YT channel

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Bingamon on August 27, 2011 at 1:50am

In my opinion I'd do small pollished or unpolished pebbles. Reasons being. With my sand fish swimming by it kicks it up and creates thin spots. Second it doesn't offer much holding power for stem style plants. And with sand it does show food or dead leaves the best which in turn can look the worst and it's next to impossible to vacuum out my tanks with as heavily planted they are or eventually will grow into. Large gravels sucks. It offeres a lot of counterweight to hold plants in but the gaps between the rocks let's the dirt out so you need like a 4" cap. Now for the small stuff. I found pebbles/ riverrock better then regular aquarium gravel because of the smooth edges. I have natural river rock and it's a breeze to stuff plants into it, they all hold in place and very little dirt is desturbed. It's easy for shrimp, cats, ect to clean and plants seem to have the easiest time growing out of it. I have some small black gravel and it looks like it is just crushed rock. The jagged edges let them lock in place and it's next to impossible to get plants in it. I was using tweezers to get everything in. But almost no dirt was disturbed. Out of everything I would say the smalest with rounded or pollished edges has the most benefits. But it all really comes down to what look or them you want. Can't make a beach theme without sand or a natural river bottom without a few different sized rock.

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Permalink Reply by Pedro Pedro on August 27, 2011 at 7:54pm

dang i wanted to use the black large gravel with dirt but now im not so sure because you say the dirt floats up. I only have like an inch of gravel. is it really that bad?

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Permalink Reply by Omar Lugardo on August 28, 2011 at 8:31am

here is the answer when everyone ask is sand n dirt good together its NO

Look at my page an you'll see what i mean

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Permalink Reply by 2apes2gp667wr on August 28, 2011 at 7:50pm

I watched your video. The sand in general is not the problem. The amount of sand you have as a cap is. If you use 1" of dirt you should use 1" of cap. If you are getting too much food on the sand, you are feeding to much or need a better cleanup crew.