Which one: Sand, River rocks or gravel?

[GROWMEZ]

What Sand?

Specifically to the owners in the UK - what sand do I get and where do I get it? I had river stones in there but I want a large flat area cos he seems to like it that way. He doesn't like the glass bottom so I'm going to try sand. Can you help please?

 

[Genome42]

I used play sand for sand pits from homebase i think was the jewson brand but i don't think it matters. I washed mine by putting it in a pillowcase and washing in cold water using that until the water was coming out looking clear. Thats makes the water quicker to clear when you put it in the tank.

 

[ButtercupSaiyan]

We got a blue (play-like) sand from the aquarium shop and put the gravel beneath it ... so that the sand is on top and gives something for all the amphibians to burrow into.

Are there any dangers to sand, besides the hassle of cleaning? If it's from a pet shop, it's less likely to introduce foreign materials and chemicals that will unbalance the water, right?

 

[Kaysie]

Axolotls can (and will gladly) root through sand and ingest gravel that is underneath it. This can still cause impaction and death.

Sand is the best substrate next to no substrate. It's not a hassle to clean (no more so than gravel or river rocks). Pet shop sand is physically the same sand as sand purchased otherwhere (quartz sand, silica sand, etc).

 

[AaronK]

I use play sand from the big box stores in all my setups. I rinse it out first to get rid of the dust. I use a gravel siphon to clean it. I like the way it looks, also it is cheap and easy.