Subtrate In My Mbuna Tank?

[wegotcrabs]

I currently have gravel in my tank. I have since learned that my cichlids may prefer sand. What kind of sand is safe to use in my tank?? Can I buy playground sand at Home Depot or do I need to buy aquarium sand?? Please help!!!

 

[Ferris]

Play sand is fine and a lot cheaper - just give it a really good wash.

 

[wegotcrabs]

Great thanks....how do you recommend washing it?? Also, is it ok to go down to the local river and get some rocks for my re-design?? If so, how can I be sure to kill any parasites that are on them??

 

[jgray152]

Any sand that is designed for the aquarium will be safe. Just look at how fine it is. Sand that is to fine will stay suspended longer.

I don't know what your taste in color is but I have black sand and love they way it looks.

I also started to learn more about water hardness and I was thinking of going with crushed coral substrate but that just wouldn't mix right with black sand. So maybe you should go with a lighter color sand and use crushed coral or live sand to keep the hardness and PH and minerals about where it should be.

Great thanks....how do you recommend washing it?? Also, is it ok to go down to the local river and get some rocks for my re-design?? If so, how can I be sure to kill any parasites that are on them??

Washing sand I find is a PITA! With my 55 gallon which would be the second tank I used sand in, I just bought the Diatom D1 Sand filter and let it run for 2 hours and it cleaned up the water great. Much easier and quicker with much less agrivation.

You can easily put them in some warm water with bleach and let the soak for a few hours or over night for best results. Then change the water with clean warm water and let them soak for a couple hours and the rinse them off with warm water to make sure there is no bleach on the rocks.

I used some rocks from outside and did the same thing.

 

[wegotcrabs]

alright, thanks for the info......

 

[andypo20]

rocks - before you use them at all try s few spots of normal vinegar on them, if it bubbles up - do not use them! they are porous and could hold any kind of anything small enough to absorb!