Sand as substrate on african tank

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

We have a 3-4 inch sand substrate, we just bought salt free play sand at the
local hardware store, it was much cheaper. We boiled it when we tried it in
the 55g, but just rinsed the sand we got for our 90g African, no deaths yet
and it has been about 6 months. They defiantly love playing in it, go head
deep sometimes and you can see it coming out of their gills. We have 4
holding girls in there now, so it seems they like it!
Kelly


"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

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

WRT the sand level: you don't mention your filtration method.

If you have an UG filter than 2 inches is probably OK, but the sand
particles will probably at least partially block the filter plates
slots-dramatically lowering your filters performance. You can place a
porous mat between the plates and the sand to try to get around the problem,
but I've never tried it. Keep in mind also that your flow rate through the
sand will be less than through the gravel anyway.

If you have any other type of filtration, keep in mind that with no
oxygenated water passing through the sand, you will at some point start
growing anerobic bacteria. This is the stuff that is bad (unless you do it
in a very controlled environment, then it eats nitrate). In this case two
inches is too much. I've got about half an inch in my tank, and I make sure
I vacuum it every two weeks. No problems.

"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

Carib sea makes sands conducive to your needs. More info can be found
@ carib-sea.com
We carry carib sea producs as well

Kasselmann aquarium plants book 59.99

Marcus

http://www.aquatic-store.com/

Co2 tanks on sale
Power compact bulbs and MH the lowest on the net
Co2 regulator and bubble counter with needle valve $75

do you want a FREE CO2 Regulator or FREE CO2 DIFFUSOR????

Swing on by our webbforum to see how to get one!!

http://aquatic.yupapa.com/phpbb/index.php

http://www.aquarium-plant-store.com

On Sat, 27 Mar 2004 16:34:06 GMT, "SA" wrote:

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

Sea shell litter is the best to use for cichlids

"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

"Alan" wrote in message ...
Sea shell litter is the best to use for cichlids



Try "plant" sand. It is VERY expensive....$1/lb. It is kinda charcoal
gray. Would work. Plants would love it. Just arm yourself with your
checkbook when going in.

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