Admiring fast fish and thoughtfully swaying water plants, we sometimes forget that the aquarium is a real miniature ecosystem. And great importance in it is covered by the aquarium bottom substrate in which the vegetation is fixed and microorganisms function. Popular as a soil for the aquarium enjoys both gravel and sand; we will dwell on the more natural of them, the second.
Sand in the aquarium as a soil
The obvious advantages of sand as a primer for the aquarium is its natural appearance and the fact that plants are better adapted to its use. On the other hand, it should be borne in mind that, for use as a primer in a river sand aquarium, it must first be washed for a long time and thoroughly. In addition, the garbage will be clearly visible on the sandy surface, and it will be necessary to clean the aquarium quite often (although when cleaning in the form of sand, cleaning the aquarium is much easier - you can pass the siphon over the bottom without even touching it).
It is not recommended to use exclusively white sand for the decoration of the aquarium - against its background the fish turn pale, which creates a general impression of depression and inhibition. The black color of sand, on the contrary, is considered more advantageous for creating a whole image - it successfully shades the brightness and vivacity of the inhabitants of the aquarium. However, you can always experiment by combining several colors.
As for the sparkling coral sand, then, despite its spectacularity, it is not suitable for every aquarium. It is used in the event that it is required to increase the hardness and acidity of water, due to the high content of lime in it. The reason for such measures may become excessively soft water in the region or a preference for hard water by specific fish.