sand or gravel for CA cichlid tank

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davew

Gambusia
MFK Member
Sep 24, 2010
367
1
16
uk
i was just wondering what people think is the best substrate for a CA tank, i've got a single barred midas and at the moment it's got sand substrate but the problem is he keeps going crazy spitting sand everywhere a attacking the glass which makes big clouds of sand and i'm worried about it getting sucked up into my filter.
i'm using argos play sand and it seems very fine.
i'm wondering if it would be better to switch to gravel :)
 
Sand is best IMO, much easier to keep clean and the fish prefer it. I wouldn't worry too much about it going into the filter. Dependant on the media, the floss should catch it before it hits the impellor.
 
Most say not too use play sand, it is much, much more dirty than pool filter sand and will cloud very easily. Other wise it is really a personal preference, neither is really truly better than the other in my opinion. I would say that gravel might be a little bit easier to clean and maintain, but I wouldn't say it is a better substrate for the fish.

-Cage
 
I've used both pool filter sand and the play sand from the home depot. I prefer the pool sand too because it doesn't cloud as easily. Sand is a lot easier to clean than gravel. Hate to say it but if you put your midas in a tank with gravel it'll still move everything around. Just the kind of fish they are, they like to burrow like many cichlids.
 
i don't mind him moving the sand around it's just the filter i was more worried about, i can't find any pool filter sand where i live, but i think i can get silica sand from the builders merchants which i think is not as fine as the play sand.
 
I love sand/small rock mix. My astheros sp. love to sift through the sand. I will never go back to gravel.
 
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