150 gallon substrate& filter

[aoscar]

I am about to set up a 150gal. cichlid tank, how hard is sand to maintain? should I just stick to gravel? and also what kind of filtration is suggested? the tank is acrylic with2 holes in the center of the back on the bottom hidden by a "bump out" ? it will house 2 grown oscars 1 14" pleco, a 10" jag, and 2 4" tinfoils

 

[Plecosterone]

I use sand in my planted tank and what I like is that everything sits ON the sand and not in it like gravel. Vacuuming, which I rarely do, is done by just keeping the vacuum off the sand and sucking up the debris. I have convicts with gravel and sure wish I would have put sand in with them. This is only my opinion and I do not keep a lot of cichlids, but I think with JDs it would probably be easier since they do tend to be pretty sloppy eaters.

 

[aoscar]

cool , there is one for sand i'll keep checking this thread to see what we come up with

 

[Rbishop]

Sand isn't a problem for maintenance, just watch your filter intake position.

 

[aoscar]

so like 4-5" above the sand or higher?

 

[Plecosterone]

Mine isnt that high, but with those fish it would be a good height. They will probably stir it up a little more than my little corys. You just want to make sure you dont get any sand into the filter. It can do nasty things to the impeller.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

i keep sponges on the intake with sand. i went with play sand from home depot. other people say pool sand is very good.