Opinions on different sands

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
The pool filter sand at the pool and spa places is really for the pool filter. No various colors. Mine has always been typical beach sand color...not bright white. Not yellow or gold. You could call it beige. My experience with fish colors was opposite of Americancichlidsaredabest.

Agree on the blasting sand.
 
Do american cichlids react differently than african cichlids to substrate color? Much of their evolution and behavior is different and the african cichlids seem to be much more brightly colored to stand out while new world cichlids even when brightly patterned are often for camouflage from above.
 
In the US I use pool filter sand, specifically this brand that I buy from Ace hardware stores. They usually have it only seasonally but would get it for you at any time. Many years, very satisfied.

HTH Pool Care 50 Lb. Pool Filter Sand | Do it Best

Buy HTH 67120 Filter Sand for $14.99. ➤➤ Shop for Filter Sand at a Do it Best store near you. Top selection of Pool & Spa Chemicals. ✅ Hardware home center
www.google.com www.google.com

About beige vs white - the sand above is a light tan (not white). The whitest sands are undesirable, but bear in mind that any light color sand will quickly darken a bit once in use in the tank. I am not talking about accumulation of gunk, but instead microscopic biofilm around the individual grains, which darkens them a bit. They include beneficial bacteria, a good thing. Edges not too sharp, grain size about optimum for plants, fish and filters, and poop and debris stays on top so it is easily vacuumed during maintenance. Good luck!
 
FJB said:
In the US I use pool filter sand, specifically this brand that I buy from Ace hardware stores. They usually have it only seasonally but would get it for you at any time. Many years, very satisfied.

HTH Pool Care 50 Lb. Pool Filter Sand | Do it Best

Buy HTH 67120 Filter Sand for $14.99. ➤➤ Shop for Filter Sand at a Do it Best store near you. Top selection of Pool & Spa Chemicals. ✅ Hardware home center
www.google.com www.google.com

About beige vs white - the sand above is a light tan (not white). The whitest sands are undesirable, but bear in mind that any light color sand will quickly darken a bit once in use in the tank. I am not talking about accumulation of gunk, but instead microscopic biofilm around the individual grains, which darkens them a bit. They include beneficial bacteria, a good thing. Edges not too sharp, grain size about optimum for plants, fish and filters, and poop and debris stays on top so it is easily vacuumed during maintenance. Good luck!
Click to expand...

HTH is what my local hardware store caries. I might pick a few bags of it up today, do you have a picture of it in your tank?

I kind of suspect all pool filter sand to be the same, but at least in the bag HTH looks a little more tan.
 
Cal Amari said:
Do american cichlids react differently than african cichlids to substrate color? Much of their evolution and behavior is different and the african cichlids seem to be much more brightly colored to stand out while new world cichlids even when brightly patterned are often for camouflage from above.
Click to expand...

I wonder if the purpose of the coloring effects it? The male african's color is for dominance/breeding so it would make sense if the substrate effected them in a different way. It wouldn't surprise me if the silver female africans became a more slate color over black sand since their color is for camo.

It's also true that lake malawi sand is white/tan from every picture I have seen, and the fish in the lake are (obviously) in full color. American cichlids come from more diverse substrates even in the same body of water so it would make sense for them to have more drastic color switching on different substrates. I know my firemouths looked great on black sand because it made the black on them deeper which contrasted nicely with the red. On the flip side it made my blue acara(wild type not electric blue) look muddy.


Thinking more I have never seen an angelfish whose color was effected by it's surroundings(other than washing out if stressed like most fish), although that might be because in nature their color does not change for camo or breeding(to my knowledge).

After more research I found people on youtube complaining that black sand made the blacks on their african's look darker which made some of their fish look undesirable. Personally I have decided to go with a black background+ light colored pool filter sand. I think that will "frame" the colors best for my fish.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cal Amari and Something Fishy Here
I have found the hardware store PFS to be VERY inconsistent in grain size. Too much fine stuff. The pool/spa sand has been closest to an even 20 grain (important for filter preservation and ease of vacuuming).

Definitely worth a trip to the pool/spa store IMO.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom