is it bad to use sand as sustrate in my cichlid tank?

Answer 1

No, I have sand in about 10 of my 23 tanks. It is much easier for the smaller, dwarf cichlids to move, and the larger ones sometimes will take a mouthful and sift it searching for leftover food.

It does compact and turn foul if you don't stir it about once a month, however. Stirring it frees up the noxious and toxic gasses that form from the various pieces of very small debris that get down in it.

If you get any Malawi Sand Divers, they will appreciate it. Also, some loaches like to burrow in sand.

Answer 2

The short answer is "no".

But...

What kind of sand are we discussing here?

If it's simply standard, silicate sand there should not be a problem. Some substrates sold as "coral sand", however, will leach calcium carbonate into the water. Whether that's a good or bad thing depends on the fish in question.

Some fish (including some cichlids) like water that's very nearly liquid rock. It would have a very high level of dissolved calcium carbonate. For such fish, "coral sand" is not a problem and may even be a Good Thing if your tap water is naturally soft (low in calcium carbonate).

Some fish (including some cichlids) prefer water that has almost no dissolved solids, including calcium carbonate. Using "coral sand" with them would be a Bad Thing.

A lot of fish (including some cichlids) are adaptable to either end of the spectrum. Sand - regardlesss of type - would not be a problem for them.

Except...

Some non-silicate sands will leach other chemicals, like copper. These could be a problem. In point of fact, some apparently silicate sands can have significant leaching of copper and other metals. But if you buy the sand at a reputable aquarium store you are unlikely to have such a problem. Heck, even if you buy the sand at a hardware store it's not a particularly high rish.

Keep in mind, everthing I said about sand leeching chemicals applies to rocks as well.

And there is a small group of cichlids whose scales are delicate enough to be damaged by sand. If you are keeping them and asking this question you need to get a lot more information on your fish. This group has a lot of special needs.

Answer 3

If your cichlid tank has african cichlids then sand is the IDEAL substrate.

Combined with a powerhead or two (which will keep most waste water borne where the filters intake them), sand is actually cleaner and easier to maintain than gravel. Due to it's 'packing' qualities, waste that isn't waterborne will rest on the substrate surface as opposed to getting under it as is often the case with gravel.

Many cichlids love to 'sand-sift' and build mounds of sand in their territory, so in another way sand allows you to observe more natural cichlid behavior than gravel.

Answer 4

I have used sand before. I used a small Bio-Filter with a Sponge looking thing under a few hard to move rocks one on each end. Worked like a Skimmer only from the bottom. I make mine. Then I place a side mount filter on back. It stayed fairly clean, but, they did like hitting on the sand as they do gravel. I give them a few play toys like a fishing bobber with a hole in it so it will sink. Mine did not seem to play with the sand as they did gravel, picking it up and spitting it out at people.

Answer 5

The general species of Cichlidae has the largest number of subspecies, found on all continents, all manner of body shapes from flat discs to long cylinders and in fresh, salt and brackish water, in the world. And it has very diverse breding habits from egg scatterers to mouth brooders. However, generally it will not harm any of them if they have sand as the substrate in their artificial habitats. However, many will not breed if they don't have some solid surface, like a rock, stone or large plant leaf to which to attach their eggs. Make certain that any sand you use is very thoroughly rinsed until the water runs off clear even when the sand is stirred.

Answer 6

I guess it would have to depend on the kind of cichlid for example a Oscar I would not recommend because they get so big and messy and I think the sand would cause you alot of headache

Answer 7

i have had cichlids for about 4 years. i don't use sand. they laid their eggs on flat rocks. i had to put the whole rock with the eggs attached in a tank away from the parents because they started killing them. quite a few survived and are now hugh!

Answer 8

A friend of mine has a nice 180gal. tank with Africans and she uses sand. She says it's a pain to clean, but she hasn't had any problems.

Answer 9

I wouldn't suggest sand it is way too hard to keep really clean. and from what i've heard and read it doesn't allow for enough water flow to grow beneficial bacteria.

Answer 10

small rocks are better for the bottom but i think sands ok. my suggestion go with rocks