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	Sand vs gravel for sa/cm cichlids
Johnny the Oranda Enthusiast Posts: 237 Kudos: 237 Votes: 82 Registered: 01-Mar-2005	Im thinking of going to white sand for my 75. Is that a good idean for sa? I heard there is disadvantages to it like water quality.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:02
Mike R Fish Addict Posts: 593 Kudos: 830 Votes: 322 Registered: 27-Jul-2004	As long as you don't have an under-gravel filter, sand works as well as gravel. The poop and uneaten food tends to sit on top of it and not get lost down in the cracks so cleaning is, IMO, easier with sand as long as you don't bury the tube in the sand. If a bunch of sand gets sucked up just plug the end of the hose with your thumb and let it fall back, most of the debris will still be suspended when you let the water go again. I've got two tanks with sand and I haven't noticed any water quality problems. Good luck, Mike
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:02
Big E Fish Addict Posts: 606 Kudos: 382 Votes: 0 Registered: 20-Feb-2001	By white sand, do you mean white silica sand or white argonite sand? Argonite will raise your pH higher than you want for SA, but most CAs would be really happy with it. Eric
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:02
Dolf Enthusiast Posts: 203 Kudos: 180 Votes: 46 Registered: 09-May-2004	My lfs guy recommended fine gravel for me. I've got eartheaters and he said they can choke on coarse gravel whereas sand can get stuck in their gills.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:02
Johnny the Oranda Enthusiast Posts: 237 Kudos: 237 Votes: 82 Registered: 01-Mar-2005	I guess fine gravel would work, but as for the types of sand, it should say on the pack when i by it right? Cause i dont want to higher my ph.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:02
muss Hobbyist Posts: 63 Kudos: 54 Votes: 0 Registered: 21-Feb-2004	Hi Guys, why not use coral sand? It will help buffer your pH and hardness and it has a good background for when your fish colour up. Good Luck Muss
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:02
Big E Fish Addict Posts: 606 Kudos: 382 Votes: 0 Registered: 20-Feb-2001	Muss - coral sand is fine for CA or African cichlids but a bad idea for SA cichlids that like soft, low pH water. As for sand hurting eartheater's gills, it's not hurting my Microgeophagus altispinosa (note that I used the formal name to point out it's a dwarf earth eater). Sand won't hurt your fish - tons of rivers have sand. The amazon river has outright beaches in some places... Eric
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:02


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