Sand as a substate for Cichlids.

[The Introvert]

I was wondering if you all could help me on Sand. Like, what sand to get, what sand to stay away from? Stuff like that, my ideas are to mix it with River Gravel and larger rounded gravel. For my Festae tank any ideas?

Thanks

[demon_surfer]

the sand would sink to the bottom of the gravel and probably not be very visible.

silica sand like that used in playpits is usually recommended for use.

[DarthV]

I wouldn't mix gravel and sand..the sand would eventually settle on the bottom and become a problem for anaerobic bacteria. You could always use sand and ad some larger pieces of gravel as decorations. I'd try to go with some of the more coarse sands...I'm using some pool filter sand in my 55gal, but I find it too bright and it washes out the color of my darker fish. I also have some 02 grain sandblasting sand in another tank and I find it is even more bright. Sand is very easy to keep clean compared to gravel, but fish poop stands out like sore thumbs.

[Tightdog1]

what do you guys think about black sand?
i am considering getting black sand.

it will be in my 55g tank with blue acaras and giant danios.

[valerie]

I jsut set up a shell dweller tnak and used black sand. I like the look of it and it really helps the colors stand out. One thing tha ti dont' like as compared to gravel is the poop and other debris really stands out against the black. But thatnks full yi only have shellies and it doesn't get too dirty, it also motivates me to clean it more if i can see the stuff.

[thekrib]

i have a sort of salt and pepper sand for my cichlids, shinyblack plant sand, and crushed coral. you shouldnt have a problem with sand and gravel if you are vacuuming regularly, the sand is lighter and will vacuum up with the gravel and sand on top since it sinks slower and raises higher.

i highly recommend sand, almost all cichlids if not all love to dig around at least once in a while.

[josh_69]

i would be carefl about the sand for substrate for cichlids becuase depeding on what type they love to dig and they may up root sum plants.

[DarthV]

Plants probably won't do well in sand anyways...it will compact and crush the roots eventually...but I know my cichlids would dig them up before that would happen ;) I just switched my 20gal back to black/green gravel last night from some 02 grit sandblasting sand... and man for the fish in the tank, it made a HUGE difference in their colors. I can actually see the blue stripes on my giant danios and the small carpinte are a much deeper shade of green... I'm thinking that when I get my 50gal tank next week, I'll switch the white pool filter sand in my 55gal to the black gravel and see if it will make that much of a difference with my JD, GT and green severum.

[thekrib]

usually with most fish black sand/gravel will bring out their colors more. plants do very well in sand, just not super fine sand, my giant vals are doing great, in 2 weeks a new plant has sprouted and grown 7 inches. and my cichlids are leaving plants alone pretty much, despite the common belief that tanganyikans will dig and eat plants.