Sand Substrate Vs. Crushed Coral

That's what I have...a sand and crushed coral mixture. My guys love digging around in it.

Am new to the hobby and considering switching to coral/sand mixture for my cichlid tank. Would also like to populate with live plants (although many posts I've read indicate cichlids tend to tear up most plants). Does anyone have suggestions for types of grasses, etc, and easiest method for cleaning/vacuuming the substrate?

Ive got Aragonite in my 20H and 55 and my cichlids love it. Plus keeps Ph at a constant level of about 8.2. Its not as light as sand thus making it easier to vac. I tried sand at first in my 55 a couple weeks ago for the first time and I found that it gets stirred very easily, so i switched to Aragonite. Wouldnt go with anything else!

Not sure how crushed coral would do with live plants. If you plan on getting mbuna then I would advise against live plants...if tanganyikan then some plants will do fine. You also have to take into consideration the pH and water harness you will have as a lot of plants can't take what is needed for cichlids.

I've got a sand/crushed coral mix. I stick with fake plants which the fish still nip at, and to clean the sand I just use the python and swirl it just above the sand to stir up the waste/food but not the sand. I like it a lot better than when I had all crushed coral, it looks more natural.

I loved the look of sand till I had it in my 75 gallon tank for a few months. It was impossible to clean or vaccuum it properly. Then it started to stink and the water took on a yellowed tinge. I did 50% water changes weekly, and cleaned the tank faithfully. Nothing worked, so I ended up tearing the tank apart and removing all the sand (not an easy feat). There was a nasty gray layer toward the bottom level of the sand that smelled terrible.
I changed the substrate to crushed coral and I would NEVER go back to sand! I love the look of the coral, and it is as easy to clean/vaccuum as gravel. Now the tank stays crystal clear with no odors.

That's why you gotta mix the sand around with your hand while you clean. To get the bottom to the top and vice versa.