sand vs gravel

[Turion2112]

Sometime in the future I plan on setting a larger tank then I currently have. I am in the planning stages and not in a rush to complete this project. My question is can the cichlids dig and create the landscape with sand as the substrate that they can with a gravel substrate. I would rather have a tank that looks like the fish lives there then one I think looks good with a flat polished and leveled bottom. Thanks

 

[Danger_Chicken]

they'll like the sand better.

 

[importracer]

Sometime in the future I plan on setting a larger tank then I currently have. I am in the planning stages and not in a rush to complete this project. My question is can the cichlids dig and create the landscape with sand as the substrate that they can with a gravel substrate. I would rather have a tank that looks like the fish lives there then one I think looks good with a flat polished and leveled bottom. Thanks

Personally, I like the look of my larger cichlids with natural pea gravel.....If the tank is a showcase, say with a midas, I fill the bottom with 4-5 inches of gravel.......The Midas, like most other monster cichlids, love to dig holes to the bottom......It really looks intresting when you wake up in the morning and there is a 12 inch wall of gravel shaped like OFO landed in there.............

 

[smitty03281964]

I do not use it. But I think fish prefer sand.

 

[Just Prince]

I like both but some filters don't work well with sand. The sand sometimes ruins impellers and cases. But the only gravel I use is SMS and flourite. The only sand I use is PFS and Color Quartz.

 

[Burto]

Cichlids can and do landscape sand, probably to a greater extent than gravel.