Gravel Or Sand?

[Tiger Tiger]

I have just started a new tank. It is cycling as i type, i have put gravel in it as i was not sure what set up to have?

I have now decided on Cichlids. Is my gravel the best or is sand the way forward. Hopefully gravel is OK as i don't fancy starting again

 

[darrel69]

Sand is much preferred, but not absolutely essential... Africans like to dig, burrow ect so youll miss out with having gravel. If it were me, id go through the mess and change it.. up to you though.

 

[spikeyboy]

I agree.With sand you will see there natural behavior.Digging,ect

 

[kj23502]

Definitely sand

 

[Tiger Tiger]

Although after enquiries the South American cichlids prefer gravel?

 

[kj23502]

Well. if you want S.A. cichlids you're in the wrong section

 

[darrel69]

Well. if you want S.A. cichlids you're in the wrong section

Lol, exactly.

 

[Tiger Tiger]

OK then.After much thought i am going for the Africans.

So the question remains. 2 weeks into the cycle and i really do not want to change from gravel to sand. I have had many sand tanks as you can see one in my Avatar and really fancy looking at gravel for a change.
Are there any Africans that prefer gravel or don't mind gravel shall i say.

Always looking for fish suggestions too....180 litre tank

 

[Raoul Duke]

To be fair I think the questions been answered Tiger.

Africans LOVE sand or a fine gravel because they LOVE to dig in the substrate.

Gravel won't do them any harm whatsoever, but if you want to see their natural behaviour then you know what you need to do.

 

[kj23502]

Larger cichlids, such as the ones that get to 5"+ can still move the smaller pieces of gravel around. Still there's something about watching a cichlid spit a mouthful of sand that is soooo intriguing...

 

[Rick A]

I've got a few large Cichlids (around 5") that are quite capable - and determined enough - to move rocks two or three times their size to where they want them... The other night I watched my Livingstonii pick up a thin piece of ocean rock almost as big as her head and carry it away from where she was digging... These guys always manage to surprise me...

 

[Tiger Tiger]

I think i will wait until a bit more bacteria has built up in the filters before i change to sand. It may be worth asking the retailer for a handful of sand that's if it's not that big retailer who will probably tell to buy 6 bottles of cycle instead

 

[lgarvey]

I had 'em in a gravel tank and have just upgraded to sand. It's great to see them digging all the time. They absolutely love it. They're also constructed a 'love nest' of sorts! Another benefit is the sand can have buffering capacity.

L

 

[Tiger Tiger]

I am just confirming Miss wiggles's comment about Kids play sand (like in Argos) is safe to put in the tank.

I just wanted to confirm this

 

[kj23502]

Yep, most play sand is ok. It won't buffer the water to help keep the ph up, though. It won't matter if your not trying to keep the ph higher like their natural habitat is.