Trying to decide on substrate...

[Conner]

I'm trying to decide what substrate to go with for the 220g tank I'm picking up this weekend. The tank is 72"Lx30"Wx24"T. It is going to house rays, gar, bichir, catfish, and SA/CA cichlids. It is drilled with an overflow, and I will be using a sump and a 350gph canister filter for filtration.

I'm debating on leaving it barebottom (painting the outside of the bottom with black paint), laying a nice dark tile on the bottom, or using sand (either black or a dark brown).

What would you do with the above setup?

 

[jclyde13]

I'd go with black sand. Barebottom and tile are both really boring imo.

 

[Pharaoh]

I can't stand black sand with clack backgrounds. It too dark. I prefer pool filter sand or Eco-complete. So.... I just voted for dark brown.

 

[Conner]

I can't stand black sand with clack backgrounds. It too dark. I prefer pool filter sand or Eco-complete. So.... I just voted for dark brown.

Won't have a black background, the back will be clear, with a confederate blue wall behind it. This tank is set up to be a room divider (which I won't be able to use it for), but I'd like to keep that option open for the future.

I like the black sand, and so does my fiance (a very important factor), but if I could find a nice, dark to medium brown sand, then I might do that instead. I just don't want to pay almost as much for the sand as I do for the tank itself...

 

[Conner]

Looks like most people think black sand. That's probably what I'll go with. Anyone know where I can get it cheaper than $20 for a 20-25lb bag?

 

[TStephens]

My LFS got me 125 lbs of Estes marine black sand for $75. It going in my 220 (72x30x24) as well.

 

[JakeH]

I voted black sand as well, if you're keeping the back unpainted. But I also agree with Pharaoh: If you ever paint the back you should go with a lighter color of sand.

If the tank were mine & I had a blue wall behind it, I'd probably just go with white sand to begin with... Either way, I would keep the sand bed under 1 inch thick to save on sand cost, reduce the weight, keep maintenance low & minimize the risk of anaerobic pockets. How many pounds of sand are you planning on using?

 

[Conner]

I voted black sand as well, if you're keeping the back unpainted. But I also agree with Pharaoh: If you ever paint the back you should go with a lighter color of sand.

If the tank were mine & I had a blue wall behind it, I'd probably just go with white sand to begin with... Either way, I would keep the sand bed under 1 inch thick to save on sand cost, reduce the weight, keep maintenance low & minimize the risk of anaerobic pockets. How many pounds of sand are you planning on using?

The blue doesn't come through as very dark behind my current tank, but we'll see with the acrylic tank. I may end up going with a light color, but I do like black sand.

I have no idea how much sand I'll need. I put about 150-200lbs in my 125g tank, and its about 4" deep throughout (yah, too much).

I used about 60lbs, I think, in my other 125g tank, and that seemed about right for a 1-1.5" depth. So maybe 100lbs, if that covers the bottom.

 

[poly-nomial]

Black sand can pop and fish's colors.

 

[JK47]

Hey Conner. I voted dark brown. IMO it looks so much more natural, espcially for your rays and SA/CA cichlids. No matter what you do in the future with the background, it will look good and you won't have to switch it out. I'm with you though, I do like deeper sand beds. I used 150 lbs in my 220g and 100 lbs in my 125g.