Gravel or Sand?

[velanarris]

Go sand. Cichlids prefer it.

 

[tcarswell]

I go gravel and have since I started never used sand though because of the filter wear and tear possibility .

 

[LowCel]

I am a fan of sand. My 300 is sand with some crushed coral mixed in. I just switched my 55 over to sand / crushed coral a couple of hours ago. One of these days I plan to remove the gravel and go with sand in my 210 as well.

 

[smpage]

I go gravel and have since I started never used sand though because of the filter wear and tear possibility .

As long as you do it right, sand shouldn't effect your filters. Never had a problem with mine.

 

[tcarswell]

As long as you do it right, sand shouldn't effect your filters. Never had a problem with mine.

I like the look of pool filter sand maybe Ill give it a shot. worst case scenario I put my gravel back in or go bare bottom (which would be nice for ease of maintenance)

 

[LowCel]

I don't know if this will help any or not but here are before and after pictures of my 55. The first picture is when it had gravel, the second picture is from today after I switched to sand. It still has some settling to do but it will give you the idea.

 

[markluvskathy]

all my are sand now

mark

 

[ward1066]

I don't know if this will help any or not but here are before and after pictures of my 55. The first picture is when it had gravel, the second picture is from today after I switched to sand. It still has some settling to do but it will give you the idea.

I think your fish is smiling in the second, frowning in the first LOL