parachromis substrate

[Maduro]

Once I switched from Gravel to sand I never looked back....sand will keep their waste on the surface where the filter can grab it vs building up in gravel. Use Pool sand...cheap and works. My jaguar tank (with sand) is in TOTM this month take a look.

 

[Piranhas and Cichlids]

I sure wish someone had told me about pool sand a few years ago. I have playground sand in 2 of my tanks and I hate it. It's all in my filters and clouds the water. I will be investing in pool filter sand very soon...

 

[killerfish]

Go with a nice natural brown color sand

i hope you know that a Community or jaguars and motas isn't a good idea to say the least

 

[CTU2fan]

I used 100lbs of PFS for my tank (72"x18" footprint). I probably didn't need that much, in a 60"x18" I'd use 50lbs (1 bag).

I haven't used the 3M colorquartz but I hear great things about it. If you're worried about it getting in the filter you could use T grade which is a bit coarser; I think most here use S grade.