Starting Out With Malawi

[beds]

right just about to start setting up a new tank and keep lake malawi cichlids.

fancy using sand instead of gravel and i prefere the look of it.


how long do i wash it for and do i have to pack it in the tank so its tough or just so its even ???

not got a clue please help

 

[Ginge]

Crushed coral is best but yes sand is also better than graval and jsut wash it until there is no mote dust coming out of it and then put in about a 1-2" layer.

 

[dthoffsett]

You don't need to pack it down, in fact when sand gets compacted it builds up gas pockets that can harm the fish when released.
Also, IMO, any substrate looks more natural when you leave it in hills and valleys instead of dead level.

So if you do go with sand (crushed coral is better IMHO), make sure you stir it up every couple of weeks. Or you can get some malaysian trumpet snails that spend most of their time in the substrate, and will constantly sift the sand.