Sand substrate recommendations

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I

Insidiac

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 12, 2011
29
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Rhode Island
Hey all, I have a 75g tank stocked with 13 african cichlids, and I am growing out 2 bichirs in seperate tanks while I wait for the cichlids to grow a bit more. Right now I have bright blue and white gravel and wanted to switch to sand, which brand or type of sand do you recommend for the right buffering and alkalinity? I am leaning towards fine to very fine aragonite, but let me know! I would definitely like something white or at least light colored, but river sand would be awesome if I knew where to get some. Here is a pic of my tank a few weeks ago, since then I have bought a 15 pack of cichlid stones and various other stones

tank2.jpg
 
what i keep reading on other posts is to get pool filter sand. Its supposedly very cheap and works great. im thinking about switching over to that from gravel myself.
 
I don't like PFS. For one it usually only comes in light tan. I have also talked to multiple people who have had diatom problems caused by the extra silicates from it.

I prefer Estes' Ultra Reef. It does not alter any chemistry. It comes in multiple colors (I usually use solid black or black and white). It is extremely uniform in size so you won't have any of the problems people usually cite with sand.
 
reptileguy2727;5077232; said:
I don't like PFS. For one it usually only comes in light tan. I have also talked to multiple people who have had diatom problems caused by the extra silicates from it.

I prefer Estes' Ultra Reef. It does not alter any chemistry. It comes in multiple colors (I usually use solid black or black and white). It is extremely uniform in size so you won't have any of the problems people usually cite with sand.
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I have used pool filter sand without issue. In a big tank, budgetary constraints do make a difference. Using actual aquarium sand is SO much more expensive than PFS.

I wouldn't call it tan, but it isn't pure white for sure. I mixed 5 pounds of Ultra Reef black with 100 lbs of PFS for color before. It looked pretty good.

If price isn't an issue, I would go with CaribSea cichlid sand over ultra reef.

Either way, stay away from play sand. It sucks.
 
Go to home depot and but some play sand. It is very fine and is really close to being white. It is very cheap and u won't have to mortgage ur house to buy a good amount. Don't know if u plan on making the swap while the tank is full of water or not, but I would drain it firat if u can. Pfs can cloud the water when first introduced especially if ur not careful. But once its in an settled it looks nice.
 
Do not buy play sand. If you get a cheapo sand that isn't made for aquariums the only one I would consider is pool filter sand.

The sand I recommended is about the cost of gravel, so if you can afford to buy enough gravel you can afford to buy enough sand that is actually made for use in aquariums. This is what I suggest. You only have to buy it once, so it is not like it is an ongoing expense like food.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone! If cost isn't an issue, which sand would be best? Again, something light colored is preferred. I saw the cichlid sand but wasnt fond of the black in there, and pool filter sound looks pretty cool but Id rather spend the money on something thatll help out with buffering and maintaining PH levels
 
Any marine sand of the right size will work for that. But in FW crushed coral in your filter (like carbon) may be much more effective.

I wouldn't recommend light backgrounds or substrates. They cause fish to wash out their colors. Dark backgrounds and substrates not only show off colors better but actually cause fish to produce more pigment, they are physiologically more colorful. The black and white mixed is a good option, there are pictures in my photobucket album in my signature.
 
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