Move Sand with Cichlids?

[Doc_Polit]

Hi Gang,

I've been lurking for a while and decided that I need your advice.

I am moving my Africans from their 90 gallon tank to a new 120 gallon (not exactly a monster).

Do I need to move their original substrate or can I start with new sand?

Will I affect the bio-load if I do not use the original substrate?

Your thoughts?

 

[addicted2cichlids]

if i were you id move it all to the new tank. sand, water, and filters.

 

[Onion01]

use new water of course, but transfer everything else. Remember to keep rocks, filter and sand wet, so you don't lose too much beneficial bacteria

 

[Hawkfish3.0]

Sand doesn't affect your bio-load as much as gravel. Sand doesn't hold as much aerobic bacteria as it does anaerobic bacteria, which in turn has less affect on your biological filtration.

You can move the sand, but IMO the PITA factor outweighs the benefit.