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Aqua One Australian River Sand
Price range: $19.95 through $34.95
Aqua One Australian River Sand Natural Aquarium Substrate
Give your aquarium a natural, authentic look with Aqua One Australian River Sand, sourced and packaged right here in Australia. Fine, smooth and natural in appearance, river sand is one of the most popular aquarium substrates among hobbyists for good reason: it looks beautiful, supports beneficial bacteria, is easy to clean, and encourages the natural digging and foraging behaviours of many popular fish species. Whether you’re building a biotope, a planted tank, or a community aquarium, river sand is a versatile and effective substrate choice.
Key Benefits
| pH Neutral | An inert substrate that will not alter your aquarium’s pH or water chemistry, safe for use in both softwater and hardwater setups. |
| Beneficial Bacteria | The fine-grain structure of river sand provides excellent surface area for beneficial nitrifying bacteria to colonise, supporting a healthy and stable nitrogen cycle in your aquarium. |
| Easy to Clean | Unlike coarser gravels, waste and debris settle on top of sand rather than falling between the gaps, making it much easier to siphon out during water changes. |
| Natural Behaviour | Encourages the natural digging, sifting and foraging behaviours of species such as Corydoras, loaches, gudgeons and many cichlids. Keeping fish active, stimulated and stress-free. |
| Australian Sourced | Sourced and packaged locally within Australia |
| Natural Aesthetics | Creates a beautiful, natural-looking aquarium floor that complements aquatic plants, driftwood and hardscape. Ideal for replicating Australian river, Asian stream or South American biotope environments. |
What Fish Love Sand?
River sand is particularly well suited to bottom-dwelling species that naturally sift or dig through substrate. Corydoras catfish, loaches, gobies, gudgeons, rainbow fish and many cichlids all thrive on a sandy substrate. Sand is also gentle on the delicate barbels of Corydoras, as coarse gravel can cause injury over time. If you keep any of these species, sand is strongly recommended over gravel.
Available Sizes
- 5kg
- 10kg
How Much Sand Do I Need?
As a general guide, aim for a substrate depth of 5–7cm for most aquariums. For a standard 60cm tank, you will typically need around 5- 7 kg of sand; a 90cm tank will require approximately 10–12kg. If you plan to keep burrowing species or grow rooted plants in the sand, a slightly deeper layer of 7–10cm is recommended. Not sure how much you need? Get in touch, and we’ll help you work it out.
Setup Tips
- Rinse thoroughly before use. Even pre-washed sand will cloud your water if added dry. Rinse in a bucket under running water until the water runs clear before adding to your tank.
- Add slowly. Pour sand gently into the aquarium using a cup or container to avoid disturbing the glass base or existing decor.
- Let it settle. Some cloudiness is normal after filling your tank but it will clear within a few hours.
- Stir occasionally. Over time, sand can compact and develop anaerobic (oxygen-free) pockets. A gentle stir with a long stick or a gravel vacuum every few weeks prevents this.
Not sure whether sand or gravel is the right substrate for your setup? We’re happy to help you choose.
Get in touch for free expert advice anytime.
⚠️ Heads-up: We sell a wide range of aquarium substrate that you can find here on our website.
| Size | 10kg, 5kg |
|---|
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