Substrate For Jewel Cichlid -play Sand Or Gravel?

[fishnovice]

Planning to get some jewel cichlids and hopefully a larger tank.
Currently have well washed playsand AND large 1cm diameter garden gravel. Which is best for them?
Jewels may be sharing with a convict who's currently in a tank on his own with that small fake orange "gravel" which is the perfect size for convicts to shift around. Plan to put this orange stuff in part of the new tank shielded with plants and rocks as a convict territory.

 

[mixmaster jay]

sand would be best for jewels imo mine love playing about in it and shifting it about

 

[mmcrew]

i have a breeding pair and they love to dig in the sand, (thats where mine lay her eggs)

iv no gravel at all, just plain old sand

 

[mixmaster jay]

mine are a breeding piar too mine like a flat stone or a slate cobble lol they seem to be picky lol

 

[fishnovice]

sand would be best for jewels imo mine love playing about in it and shifting it about

All advice much appreciated as I've never used substrate before, my mollies and guppies have bare flood tanks which are easy to clean.
OK sand it is then. A few more questions
1. How deep should sand layer be and do you put anything below like gravel layer? I'm having fake plants only
2. Sand has been washed a few times till water is clear. Curently sand is in a tub under 12 inches of water. Should I drain it and let sand dry? If YES how do I dry sand??? Should I add sand before cycling tank? Fish may not be arriving for weeks

ThanksI
PS: 've checked out your new turtle site and left message.

 

[mixmaster jay]

just drain the water out and pop the sand in 2/3" deep that should be plenty for them

cool i will go and have a look now mate

i cant see nothing on my site where did you leave a message on it

 

[mmcrew]

yeah, my sand is about 1 inch deep, no more, if they dont like it al;l flat they will move it all around anyway,

just one thing i will say is, if you have any ornaments etc make sure they are on the bast of the glass not just ontop of the sand as when they dig they make knock them over and crush others or the eggs etc,