Like gravel, sand can provide your aquarium with natural benefits, especially if you plan on adding live aquarium plants. When choosing sand, be careful to choose one that will not affect your aquarium's pH or alkalinity levels.
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Sand Selection
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Understanding the habits and diets of your fish will allow you to make an educated decision on the type of sand you are going to add. Are your fish rooters? Are they sand sifters? What are their behavior patterns? These questions will play a key role in the type of sand you choose. If you have shy fish in a well-lit aquarium, a darker, less reflective sand may be best. If your fish are bottom dwellers, you'll want a "softer" grain of sand so that they do not get injured. You will need roughly 1 lb. of sand per gallon of water. Your local fish store will be able to provide you with the proper type of sand to add to your aquarium based on your needs.
Prepare Your Substrate
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Clean your sand before you add it into your tank. Place your sand in a 5-gallon bucket and rinse it with a garden hose. This will remove any debris that has built up on the sand. If your water is cloudy, dump the water and repeat the process until the water is clear. After the water is clear, you can add the sand to your tank.
Add Your Substrate
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Place your sand into your aquarium. You should have 2 to 3 inches of sand covering the bottom of your tank when you are done. After the sand is in place, add your water. Use your hand or a plate to "catch" the water as it fills your aquarium. This will break up the stream of water and keep it from moving the sand around the floor of the tank. Once the tank is full, allow the sand to settle. Do not plug in any filters or pumps until your water clears.
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