Substrate for CA cichlids?

[rrcoolj]

SO I recently moved all the sand out of my 125 because it kept gettng kicked into my aquaclear and messing up the motor. I am kicking myself over what substrate I want to use. So here's my delema...

-I need a heavy substrate so that large cichlids like a midas or salvini won't kick it into the filter.

-I would prefer sand as a substrate. I know a lot of people will suggest pool filter sand but nobody sells it within an 1hour drive of my house. I have thought about play sand but apparently it is very light. Would gravel be a better option?

 

[Jason_S]

I don't think even the finest of gravel would get sucked into the filter like sand does. For my last couple of tanks I've just gone to Lowe's and bought the bags of pea gravel from the gardening area. It's like $5 for a 50 lb bag if I remember correctly.

 

[hamfist]

I use a smooth 3mm gravel in one tank, and a sharp 1-2mm gravel in another. Both are perfect for CA/SA cichlids.

My only advice would be that if you get gravel of 3mm or bigger, make sure it is the smooth pea gravel. THere are an awful lot of sharp gravels out there. Large, sharp pieces have the potential to damage fish's mouths.

 

[jonclark96]

I just swapped the gravel out of my 180 for sand. I have sand in most of my other tanks, and have not had issues with getting sand in filters. If you are concerned, use a prefilter on the intake of your aquaclears (a pice of the AC70 foam works great). Gravel will require much more maintenance and gravel vacs to keep it clean.

You can get pool filter sand at Flamingo Pool Supply in Frederick for $10 per 50 pound bag.

 

[rrcoolj]

I don't think even the finest of gravel would get sucked into the filter like sand does. For my last couple of tanks I've just gone to Lowe's and bought the bags of pea gravel from the gardening area. It's like $5 for a 50 lb bag if I remember correctly.

I use a smooth 3mm gravel in one tank, and a sharp 1-2mm gravel in another. Both are perfect for CA/SA cichlids.

My only advice would be that if you get gravel of 3mm or bigger, make sure it is the smooth pea gravel. THere are an awful lot of sharp gravels out there. Large, sharp pieces have the potential to damage fish's mouths.

Thanks guys I like the pea gravel Idea assuming I will be able to find it.

I just swapped the gravel out of my 180 for sand. I have sand in most of my other tanks, and have not had issues with getting sand in filters. If you are concerned, use a prefilter on the intake of your aquaclears (a pice of the AC70 foam works great). Gravel will require much more maintenance and gravel vacs to keep it clean.

You can get pool filter sand at Flamingo Pool Supply in Frederick for $10 per 50 pound bag.

What kind of cichlids do you have? Midas are big powerful fish that can move all the substrate to one end of the tank if they want too. They do a ton of digging already. If I get a pre-filter I should just keep the sand I have. I will probably get one as the fish start breeding. I just don't want them to move huge clouds of substrate into the water constantly.

And that flamingo pool supply is almost 1 1/2 hours from my house... A bit too far.

 

[rrcoolj]

If I use a pre-filter will it prevent any substrate from being sucked into the intake? Wil it hinder the use of my powerfilter? Because I might be able to keep my sand and just use a pre-filter.

 

[WckedMidas]

put a sponge over your intake on your hob filters. just buy a couple ac110 sponges cut them in half stab one end with a knife and slide over your intake tube. Instead of cleaning the filter alll the time. you will be rinseing out the prefilter sponges around one a week or so. works like a champ

 

[Gruff Master]

My 10.5" Midevil has pool filter sand as substrate in his tank. He digs all the time and I never have problems with sand. I have a wet dry but the sand has never been an issue. However, when I used play sand in the past it was a mess, always messy and clogging my filter pads. I've heard good things about blasting sand as well but I have never used it.

 

[rrcoolj]

put a sponge over your intake on your hob filters. just buy a couple ac110 sponges cut them in half stab one end with a knife and slide over your intake tube. Instead of cleaning the filter alll the time. you will be rinseing out the prefilter sponges around one a week or so. works like a champ

Thanks, I will either do that or buy pre-filters. Sounds like a good solution to my problem.

My 10.5" Midevil has pool filter sand as substrate in his tank. He digs all the time and I never have problems with sand. I have a wet dry but the sand has never been an issue. However, when I used play sand in the past it was a mess, always messy and clogging my filter pads. I've heard good things about blasting sand as well but I have never used it.

Everyone suggest pool filter sand but I just can't get it locally. It really isn't an option. The only sand I can find locally is play sand sometimes and the petstore brand sands which is what I have(accumulated over the years).

I think I am going to use the sponge idea and keep my sand.

 

[Sarah88]

yeah if you cant get pool filter sand locally then i would either put a sponge over your intake or switch to gravel, play sand is a PITA definitely dont use it, it will just make your sand problem worse