Why Sand ?

[Realtree]

This might be a stupid question
But why is it the norm for malawi tanks to have sand as substrate ??
I understand that this obviously replicates natural habitat - but is there any reason that gravel cannot be used .
I am asking as a tank i have bought has black / marbled gravel in it which looks stunning and enhances the fishes colours.
Also makes the ocean rock very eyecatching

 

[mmcrew]

as far as im aware males will also make "pits" to attract and mate with the females,

 

[Bebobb]

Sand is used because they like to dig, and they can cut them selves on the gravel, and because it is just hard to move. They also use it for breeding. It is almost a must. I know it is in a multie tank, I have a 2 inch layer for them. I paid $6.49 for 10lbs yesterday.

 

[mmcrew]

yeah totally agree, plus its also great to watch them dig it up and move it how they want, its great to watch

 

[Bebobb]

yeah totally agree, plus its also great to watch them dig it up and move it how they want, its great to watch

Yeah, the more the better!!!

 

[GGriffin]

But remember to make sure your rock foundation is secure overwise they can under dig the rocks.

Either place the rockwork directly onto the glass or better yet on top of eggcrate.

 

[Realtree]

This is probably the stupidist question so far
What is egg crate ??
Looked at pics of some of Btts (a work in progress) thread but can't work it out as it doesn't look like egg box material ??

 

[dthoffsett]

This is probably the stupidist question so far
What is egg crate ??
Looked at pics of some of Btts (a work in progress) thread but can't work it out as it doesn't look like egg box material ??

Eggcrate is also called a light diffuser and can be found at your local hardware store or anywhere that sells flourescent lighting supplies, they are plastic grid panels that are used in a drop ceiling over flourescent lights.

I'm not really sure why it's called eggcrate, the first time I heard of it I couldn't figure out why someone would use foam padding (mattress topper) in their tank! So, definitely not a stupid question.

 

[Realtree]

LOL
Thanx