Sand or rocks

[sal123]

what would be the best for a cichlid tank.... i have rocks now but have been thinking about getting a black background with sum white or tan sand... help anyone?

 

[cichlidian1]

yeah sand looks awesome and is fairly easy to clean.....just don't go overboard with the sand....

i wouldn't do more than .5-1 inch of it, the deeper sand bed you have the more likely there will be compacted sand with bacterial growth after a few months and if it gets stirred could release into the water

 

[lethalpsi]

Also be carefull where your filter inlet is. If it's low the sand could get stirred up and sucked into the filter.

 

[cichlidian1]

Also be carefull where your filter inlet is. If it's low the sand could get stirred up and sucked into the filter.

yeah, forgot this ^^^ very true....don't want to F up your impellers

 

[knobhill]

they also have sand that buffers the water...

 

[Angler]

What type of cichlids? Many cichlids like digging, and sand makes it easier to dig. However, as long as they are kept in healthy water, your cichlids will be happy with either type of substrate.

 

[sal123]

i have a jag, red bay snook and a blackbelt hybrid

 

[sal123]

thanks everyone for the help