Best Sand For Cichlid Tank?

[Lolly123]

Hi guys,
 
I'm doing some reasearch on the best sand to use in the cichlid tank I'm setting up. I was going to order caribsea super naturals moonlight sand, but I have read quite a few reports of it being too fine and ruining filters, even with a filter sock on the intake.
 
I'm after a sand that is quite light and bright, steering away from the more reddy tones. Any tried and tested products you can recommend?
 
Thanks!

 

[Concaj1]

African rift cichlids or New world?  
 
Coral sand will help harden your water is you are looking to keep Malawi etc. if is it south american Cichlids you are keeping then you should avoid coral sand, 

 

[Lolly123]

I'm going to be keeping Mbuna. My water is hard and has always tested at about 7.8 using API liquid kits, I dont exactly know my KH and GH, but my taps and kettle always have quite a build up of limescale so I'm assuming my KH and GH offers a stable buffering capacity as it is. I like coral sand but as my PH is always around the 7.8 mark then I may not need to use it.
 
I don't really want the red tones that some sands come in, i'd prefer an off white/beige colour, but I want to couple that with a sand that isnt constantly being sucked into the filter due to it being so fine.

 

[garyspence84]

Why not just get some argos play sand? Colour wise it fits the bill and its a fraction of the price and looks just as good I think.

 

[Lolly123]

Ill Defo have a look in to that. The more expensive option maybe eco complete African cichlid sand.
Ill compare the two and see which I like best.

I'm also wanting a 3d background. Lol this is gonna be expensive!

 

[Skydz]

look in diy backgrounds on youtube. it will cost less.

 

[Lolly123]

I have looked on you tube and some of them are impressive, but my tank is 1027mm long and about 745mm in height.
It's too time consuming and I don't think I'd have the artistic flair to pull it off. I might try making a rock first and see how I get on.

 

[garyspence84]

Just think of all that money you could save on buying over priced sand that could go toward a nice 3d background

 

[Liam2368]

play sand seems to fit your bill, it will only get in the filter if it is stared up or your inlet is very low, it is usually smaller sized grains than other sand. The weird thing is i think there is a couple of shades they use i added a few bags a little bit ago and recently got a bag to topup and this stuff is darker than the last stuff i got and they was both from Argos £2.99 for a 15kg bag.

 

[Lolly123]

Lol yes you are right about saving money on the sand. I think a decent 3D background will set me back about. £180 but they are so nice!

Play sand might fit the bill then, ill take a look into it. Thanks.

 

[Liam2368]

You could always mix it with small rocks/pebbles that will give it a really natural look.
 
Wow how big is your tank? 

 

[Lolly123]

I ended up buying some unipac sand and some coral sand and mixed that. Really pleased.

I got my measurements wrong on the quote system, it will cost around £100 for my background. Tank is 55G.

 

[Skydz]

nice! pics?

 

[Lolly123]

There is one or two over in the African cichlid section under the thread aquascape help.

The scape is coming along slowly, still unsure how I'm gonna start using the mid and upper surfaces a bit more so it looks less empty

 

[balajake]

There is one or two over in the African cichlid section under the thread aquascape help.
The scape is coming along slowly, still unsure how I'm gonna start using the mid and upper surfaces a bit more so it looks less empty

It will look fuller with the background in though