Best sand size ?

[duanes]

I use sand in almost all my cichlid tanks, Africans, new worlds, Madagascans.
In the US sand is usually sold as play sand, construction sand, or pool filter sand.
I use pool filter sand, it is sold in a very clean state, is fairly uniform in size, and when stirred up, is heavy enough to immediately sink.
This is the most important factor to me, if the sand is not heavy enough, small particles can remain in the water column long enough to get sucked into filters and pit, and ruin pump impellers.
When I first started using sand, I tried play sand, and found it quickly trashed some pump impellers, and also had a tendency to compact near the bottom plate and turn to cement.

You might want to test different sizes by shaking a handful in water to see what clears and what leaves dusty particles in the water column.

 

[Karl K]

I use sand in almost all my cichlid tanks, Africans, new worlds, Madagascans.
In the US sand is usually sold as play sand, construction sand, or pool filter sand.
I use pool filter sand, it is sold in a very clean state, is fairly uniform in size, and when stirred up, is heavy enough to immediately sink.
This is the most important factor to me, if the sand is not heavy enough, small particles can remain in the water column long enough to get sucked into filters and pit, and ruin pump impellers.
When I first started using sand, I tried play sand, and found it quickly trashed some pump impellers, and also had a tendency to compact near the bottom plate and turn to cement.

You might want to test different sizes by shaking a handful in water to see what clears and what leaves dusty particles in the water column.

Ok, thank you.
Do you think that 3mm gravel that is long and not thick, would be to big for leleupi, and other smaller tanganyika cichlid?
I am most likely not gonna have the option to test it if i buy new substrate, so what size would you think would be best, if 3mm isnt gonna work.

 

[duanes]

I believe the above photo is 2 or 3mm, and considered coarse, I have it in some tanks, but prefer a bit smaller grade. I think the word "prefer" is the operative word though, simply opinion.
Here it is in a tank

but the one below appeals to my aesthetic sense

 

[Karl K]

I believe the above photo is 2 or 3mm, and considered coarse, I have it in some tanks, but prefer a bit smaller grade. I think the word "prefer" is the operative word though, simply opinion.
Here it is in a tank

but the one below appeals to my aesthetic sense

Would smaller cichlids like Leleupi be ok with 3mm? What i use is my triangle formed, and some are long.

 

[RD.]

Karl, you can keep smaller cichlids such as leleupi in 10mm if you prefer, the fish will adjust and cope with whatever substrate you personally choose, but for smaller shell dweller species such as N. brevis, you will lose much of their natural behaviour if you go with larger substrate. If you understand the species that you are enquiring about, and their specific behaviours and needs for housing in captivity, then this should be common sense.


With regards to sand particle size, its smoothness, cleanliness, etc - it varies across geographical locations. In Canada I can buy play sand at Home Depot that is as clean as most brands of PFS, it looks more natural, and the particle size is almost identical to most brands of PFS. Other brands of play sand are so super fine that even a swish of a caudal fine creates a sand storm. Sand that can be purchased at various Home Depots in the US I cannot get here. So what you are considering is going to boil down to your personal preference, and/or the needs of the species that you are considering. If you are planning on keeping shell dwellers in the future then no, 3mm would not be an ideal substrate.

 

[Karl K]

Karl, you can keep smaller cichlids such as leleupi in 10mm if you prefer, the fish will adjust and cope with whatever substrate you personally choose, but for smaller shell dweller species such as N. brevis, you will lose much of their natural behaviour if you go with larger substrate. If you understand the species that you are enquiring about, and their specific behaviours and needs for housing in captivity, then this should be common sense.


With regards to sand particle size, its smoothness, cleanliness, etc - it varies across geographical locations. In Canada I can buy play sand at Home Depot that is as clean as most brands of PFS, it looks more natural, and the particle size is almost identical to most brands of PFS. Other brands of play sand are so super fine that even a swish of a caudal fine creates a sand storm. Sand that can be purchased at various Home Depots in the US I cannot get here. So what you are considering is going to boil down to your personal preference, and/or the needs of the species that you are considering. If you are planning on keeping shell dwellers in the future then no, 3mm would not be an ideal substrate.

That why im asking what is.
What would be best 0,4 - 0,8mm or 0,71 - 1,25mm or 1,4 - 2,5mm or another size?
Thanks for the answer.

 

[RD.]

As fine as possible for the smaller sand sifting species, without being too fine for your filters and their parts. In North America the mesh or particle size is generally not listed on bags purchased at the local hardware or pool supply store, so you might get a better response to exact sizes on a local forum in your area.

 

[Spartacus]

I'm using the black diamond blasitng sand found at northern tools.I like it.it's cheap if you want black