white sand or black sand for african/new world cichlid tank.

[talal101]

i know that black sand would mimic their natural environment and helps some fish stand out more but i also know that white sand adds a tropical serene feel to the tank and helps brighten up the tank.

 

[talal101]

Come on 33 visits and no one could take 2 seconds to vote

 

[Source310]

i personally have white sand with a black acrylic background. looks clean and the fish look more vivid, or it might just be the NLS

 

[talal101]

I like that idea, do you think it would be better if i painted light blue, dark blue or black? And what is NLS ( still have trouble with some acronyms but I'm getting better)

 

[impala]

NLS = New Life Spectrum Fish Food.

 

[talal101]

Lol It's so funny I'm in the process of buying some assorted peacock fry (1-2") and the breeder also had NLS month supply for $5 and I was like ohhh it's food lol. Btw do you know how big they should be when I stop feeding NLS grow and start feeding the .5 mm pellets?
Thanks

 

[artman540]

I've had white and black sand and I got rid of both. I'm currently using sunset gold which looks much more natural. I love it, fish love it, wife loves it.

 

[talal101]

I think it depends what fish you have, marine fish would think white sand is natural, Amazonian fish might think black sand is more natural and finally fish from regions I'm not sure of, would think sunset gold was natural although Im not so sure if that one is man made or not. I personally like the look of white sand because it makes the tank much more serene and lightens up the fish but if you have dramatic colored fish black substrate is better. I'm not sure right now what I would do I'm making it a peacock tank so white may be better because the fish will glow but I have seen tanks with black sand that are just amazing