Your LFS (not Petsmart, etc) should have inert sand.

If you want to use crushed coral sand two things:

1. Crushed coral will harden your water.
2. The pieces tend to have sharper edges than regular river sand, this may
irritate the fish when they sift through it.

I have regular river sand in my Malawi tank ( 34 cents per pound) and the
fish do love it.


"SA" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I have gravel on my African's tanks and I was thinking of changing it to
sand. I have juvenile mbunas, and I have read that they prefer to play in
sand, is that true? I think I like the look of sand better, but will it be
better for the fish?

If so is it true that I can use pool filtering sand? I'd rather go with
something that is designed for cichlids than improvise if I could. Any
suggestions as to a recommended commercial substrate for such use?

Also how much sand should I use? I have a 2" gravel substrate but I heard
that sand should not go that high, any ideas about that?

As always thank you all for your comments.

Kind regards,

Steve