Well it worked for me, no guarantees. I have had nothing but high ammonia levels in my tank consistently. Changed water every day, had undergravel filter and media filter, additives, nothing worked. So, I discovered the mess under the undergravel filter just lays there at the bottom of the tank. So I did a complete water change, washed the plants and scrubbed it clean. No ammonia for a couple days, then back to high levels again.
So, what I did, I got rid of the undergravel filter and switched my gravel to black sand. After cleaning the sand thoroughly before use, I added the sand, and even added 7 new fish. It has been 3 weeks now and tested everyday, and not one trace of ammonia! It was basically a complete new tank setup and I noticed the PH stays consistent, no ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels are perfect. I usually gently whisk the algae cleaner over the sand and "sweep" up the fish poo towards the filter. Much easier since everything settles on top of the sand and doesn't hide under the gravel and decompose causing toxic ammonia. Also got 5 ghost shrimp to help with the "cleaning" of leftover food. 5 for $1.00, very cheap cleaning tools
I am so relieved to not have to change water consistently and ammonia levels being 0. I believe sand substrate is better than gravel, but that's my opinion. You can get sand in a variety of colors, so you have just as much choice as gravel if you want a colored substrate.
If you want to switch to sand, don't believe the hype that it will clog your filter. If it is cleaned well prior to adding it to the tank, it will pose no problems. You will of course get a few "sand bubbles" and dust but it goes away quickly. And no, the filter will not suck up the sand if the filter is kept at least 2 inches from the sand. It actually works pretty good being the flow from the filter will cause the fish waste that sets on top of the sand floating towards the filter. Fish love the sand better too. More natural. And no, when they scurry near it, it does not cause a bunch of sand to float around.
In conclusion, my opinion is sand is much better than gravel for freshwater
So, what I did, I got rid of the undergravel filter and switched my gravel to black sand. After cleaning the sand thoroughly before use, I added the sand, and even added 7 new fish. It has been 3 weeks now and tested everyday, and not one trace of ammonia! It was basically a complete new tank setup and I noticed the PH stays consistent, no ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels are perfect. I usually gently whisk the algae cleaner over the sand and "sweep" up the fish poo towards the filter. Much easier since everything settles on top of the sand and doesn't hide under the gravel and decompose causing toxic ammonia. Also got 5 ghost shrimp to help with the "cleaning" of leftover food. 5 for $1.00, very cheap cleaning tools
I am so relieved to not have to change water consistently and ammonia levels being 0. I believe sand substrate is better than gravel, but that's my opinion. You can get sand in a variety of colors, so you have just as much choice as gravel if you want a colored substrate.
If you want to switch to sand, don't believe the hype that it will clog your filter. If it is cleaned well prior to adding it to the tank, it will pose no problems. You will of course get a few "sand bubbles" and dust but it goes away quickly. And no, the filter will not suck up the sand if the filter is kept at least 2 inches from the sand. It actually works pretty good being the flow from the filter will cause the fish waste that sets on top of the sand floating towards the filter. Fish love the sand better too. More natural. And no, when they scurry near it, it does not cause a bunch of sand to float around.
In conclusion, my opinion is sand is much better than gravel for freshwater
