Sand vs gravel substrate for goldfish

**sallywally** · 08-26-2012, 07:05 PM

Pros and cons? Currently I have a light-ish coating of pebbles too big for my Oranda to try swallowing, but she also can't displace them well enough to find all the food when she's grazing.

Thinking maybe white sand would keep the food where she can graze better.
And brighten the tank.

I do have some live plants in the tank.

Also, thinking of putting in an airstone/bubble wand.

**~firefly~** · 08-26-2012, 07:15 PM

I've only ever kept goldfish with a smooth/round gravel substrate. Mine were quite active and I would imagine plants would have gotten uprooted if they were planted in sand. I'm not sure. I guess it wouldn't be a problem if you put weights on them or tucked them under larger stones or wood?

**sallywally** · 08-26-2012, 11:11 PM

Thanks for your thoughts. I have no experience with sand either. I've heard goldfish like to take it in and spit it out.

I have my plants now weighted down with small-diameter flat stones. I don't have the pebble substrate thick enough to hold the plants. I don't know if plants grow well in sand, either.

I had also heard goldfish would be able to "clean up" the food as it lies on the surface of the sand.

**Lady Hobbs** · 08-26-2012, 11:12 PM

Many goldies will eat plants, too.

**Alasse** · 08-27-2012, 12:23 AM

My goldies are on PFS.
The tank is also planted with anubias and java fern, which they dont seem to like at all *L* I buy them elodea that they chow on big time!