Gravel or sand?

Question

I have a 55 with 4 small Cichlids & 2 -5 inch Jack Dempseys and a 9 inch Pleco and right now I have gravel & rock formations and it needs a new look when I upgrade to a 75 next week.

I really like the look of sand & rock formations but I have never tried it with these particular kind fish.. can it be done? And could it be done in my Oscar tank (55g with 2- 5 inch Albino Red Oscars) as well? I keep getting different answers on different websites when I try to look it up and need answers from experience.

Thanks so much!

Answer 1

You'll get answers to both ends and in the end it's your choice.

I use sand in both my two cichlid tanks and my betta tank. I find it looks much nicer, and I find it keeps a tank much cleaner because waste doesn't sink into it and disappear out of sight and mind. It's also real easy to keep clean, since you can just run a hose along the bottom and syphon off the lighter fish waste.

The sand I use is simple childrens play sand. It's super cheap, looks great, and is completely neutral on the water. Make sure you really rinse it well and many times first - it might seem a pain, but it will keep the tank from clouding up.

Since many cichlids tend to enjoy digging, you'll find sand a pleasure to watch, though in the end they can move small gravel just fine. For the Oscars it really doesn't matter since they're more mid-top dwellers. It certainly won't harm them if you prefer the look though.

Once caution though: hanging power filters can be easily damaged by sand particals and become loud and annoying from it. Keep the intakes no more then half way down, and turn them off when maintaining the tank. I keep my tanks with canisters to avoid this problem.

Keep in mind New World cichlids are not friends, so mix them carefully. I only keep New Worlds in species tanks to allow them to thrive without threat and competition to stress them out (which is what cichlids naturally are to other cichlids). That 55 will become a slaughter house sooner or later I'm sure, and unless your Oscars are a matched pair they'll likely come to blows as well. (they grow in aggression as they mature) Ok, you didn't ask any of that, but I feel better at least.

Answer 2

Sand Pros: It looks nicer. Cons: It's harder to clean. Gravel Pros: It's easier to clean. Cons: It looks less professional, some fish can actually swallow smaller pieces. Overall, it's really up to you. I personally prefer sand because it's more aesthetically proving, however I have turtles and gravel isn't good for them.

Answer 3

gravel is easier but sand looks nicer. for your fish i would use sand becuase the jack dempsey fish will get as big as your hand and it's poo will seam that way lol. it's hard to gravel vaccume sand and you will expect to loose some sand in the process also sand is really expensive and you will need to replace it compleatly 2-3 times a year. if they are small for now you could use sand but when they get biger you will want to move on to gravel. plus they ussauly will want to dig. but once they are biger they will be strong enough to move gravel

Answer 4

Sand is actually the preferred substrate of most Cichlids because they are avid diggers. Just make sure all decorations sit on the bottom glass, not on top of the sand. Fish can dig under decorations (if they are placed on sand) and knock them over, leading to injury/death. It is easier to clean too because waste doesn't fall into little crevices. Just hover the siphon over the sand and the waste will be gone. Make sure to rinse the sand thoroughly before putting it in the tank. Good luck!

Nosoop4u

Answer 5

i think you should buy sand because i personally think that american cichlids like sand and african like gravel also sand is suitable for the fish that you have and try to make it a little hilly in there because cichlids like that and provide plenty of hideing room :)

Answer 6

i would put gravel and some rock stuff from the store in there cause sand would clump together

Answer 7

GO TO A GOOD PET SHOP THAT DEALS A LOT IN THE FISH YOUVE GOT TALK TO THEM AND TAKE THERE ADVICE THATS WHAT I DID AND IT WORKED AND PAID OF FOR ME THEY REALLY KNOW WHAT THERE TALKING ABOUT.

Answer 8

gravel is much better get colorful color or different colorsevery once in awhile

Answer 9

Use the gravel it's easier to clean when cleaning the fish tank. Oh my gosh thanks you brought me to level two!! :)

Answer 10

dont use gravel or sand, use cement.