substrate change?

[bcb]

So I am pretty sure I want to go with gravel. In my 75gallon I have "play sand" that shows every bit of waste, it really bothers me. I do weekly water changes and the next day it looks as if I have done no maintaince at all. Plus, no matter how much I mix it up I am getting pockets of toxic gas, can't recall the proper name at the moment. I am just kind of fed up with it to be honest.
I am looking for a small grain, soft, natural looking gravel that will provide a good base for live plants. The best thing I have found that I really like is made by Carib Sea. I am thinking of doing a 50/50 mix of;
-Carib Sea Super Natural Peace River
-Carib Sea Super Natural Torpedo Beach.
I am drawn to these two because of the natural tones and small diameter.
Does anyone have any experience with this product? Any advice on different products(better ones), or tips to keeping the sand clean? I am willing to try anything before I make the substrate change. I have several plecos in this tank so there is always lots of poop, which leads me to believe I have no way around the messy look.
Thanks,
Bryant

[OldMan]

My sand is a bit coarse and is a natural mix of colors so it doesn't show as badly as the single color sands. It has everything from almost white to shades of light brown in it. I'm afraid that the sand will always keep the waste on top rather than have it hidden by falling between particles. I have not had much trouble going anaerobic and getting hydrogen sulfide but may have that happen yet. Plants do make it harder to vacuum whether or not you have sand and most plants will grow in almost any substrate if you keep it fertile. I am not familiar with the particular products you are looking at so can't help much there.

[andywoolloo]

I switched all my tanks to sand awhile ago and love it. I have malaysian trumpet snails in all my tanks that burrow thru the sand and keep it stirred to avoid the gas pockets.

I think it's easy to clean once you get the hang of it because everything is is right on top. I just hover my gravel vac over the sand close and swirl it, it causes the bits of detrius to waft up and get sucked into the gravel vac.

Plus you can position your powerhead, if you use one and the filter input area to go in such a way as to accumulate the detrius in one area of the substrate.

Another way to avoid the gas pockets is to not have too thick a sand bed. You do not need much, only enough to anchor some plants in if you have live ones, or fake ones for that matter. my sand is usually less than an inch deep in the tanks.

If you do not want to go the malaysian trumpet snail route, I love them personally, you can stir the sand yourself gently once a week. I use the carib sea sand, the tahitian moon.

and yes definitely on the plecos and poop. You just get used to it being there and it stops bothering you after awhile. I clean my pleco tanks poo off the substrate every night after work and every morning when I wake up. Also removing any uneaten food at that time. Which I have been lucky lately in guestimating how much to feed, haven't had too much to take out.

But you know if you wanna go gravel, do it. some of that gravel looks very beautiful and natural.

Just my two cents.

[Richard B]

My personal opinions are that sand is a better substrate for the benefit of most catfishes kept, but it must be a "soft" small round grain type of sand, pool filter sand or such, & only a shallow layer.

I think neither sand or gravel is ideal for having real plants, (with the obvious exception of those who root direct onto rock or wood).

What sort of fish are you keeping?

[bcb]

I have a L047, L-333, L066, LDA33, L-034, L092 as far as plecos. Then I have 5 apisto and a 5 inch pink tail chalceus in my 75gallon. I have did sand once or twice before it just always ends up bugging me to no end. I know it is a more natural habitat so I may just end up keeping it. It was understanding though that I needed a 2 to 3 inch base for live plants, that is sounding wrong now. I have looked into MT snails and had a hard time getting some through my local shops. Also, will the snails end up breeding like crazy and then I have a tank covered in snails. Is "play sand" the best sand to use? Surfing through other forums it sounded alright plus it was not that much money.
Thanks,
Bryant