White Substrate

blakeoe · 07-07-2005, 07:46 AM

I am thinking of changing my substrate from blue to white as part off my transformation from a community tank to a cichlid tank. Anyone have an opinion on what a good one is to use? Thinking of maybe Eco-Complete African Cichlid Sand, CaribSea Aragonite or standard white gravel but i would love some of you guys opinions.

**Damon** · 07-07-2005, 08:42 AM

You cant go wrong with either of those. What is your water like there? If it is hard already, I would use play sand. Its much cheaper and will allow them to dig as well as it won't affect your water chemistry.

euRasian32 · 07-07-2005, 09:19 AM

I've heard that crushed coral is good for a strictly african cichlid tank.

I've got the play sand in my tank, 3 bucks for a 25lb bag. You do need to rinse it thoroughly though. I probably lost a pound or two because it's very dusty at first. I would put an inch or 2 in a 5gal bucket and fill with water, swish around and pour off the free floating dust. I'd do it until I could swish the sand around and it would all settle in less than a min., but when you swirl the sand in the water and you're looking to see if it settles make sure the bucket isn't whirlpooling because the sand won't settle unless the water is almost still/stagnant.

**Osiris** · 07-07-2005, 05:32 PM

Crushed Coral from what i've heard is a nitemare when comes to gravel vac. Most show tanks i have seen have sand bottems, go to home depot for white play sand, will have a lil boy in blue overalls on it, you want that one, wash it good! very good!

**TheOldSalt** · 07-08-2005, 12:25 AM

They don't make that stuff anymore ( Southdown Play Sand ).

What's so nightmarish about crushed coral in regard to vacuuming? Things get cloudy, a few hours later it's clear again.

My own opinion, since you asked, is that white is a terrible color for a tank bottom.

07-07-2005, 07:46 AM	#1
blakeoe Educated Idiot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hammond, LA Age: 25 Posts: 209	White Substrate I am thinking of changing my substrate from blue to white as part off my transformation from a community tank to a cichlid tank. Anyone have an opinion on what a good one is to use? Thinking of maybe Eco-Complete African Cichlid Sand, CaribSea Aragonite or standard white gravel but i would love some of you guys opinions.

07-07-2005, 08:42 AM	#2
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	You cant go wrong with either of those. What is your water like there? If it is hard already, I would use play sand. Its much cheaper and will allow them to dig as well as it won't affect your water chemistry. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

07-07-2005, 09:19 AM	#3
euRasian32 Why So Serious? Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia Age: 33 Posts: 771	I've heard that crushed coral is good for a strictly african cichlid tank. I've got the play sand in my tank, 3 bucks for a 25lb bag. You do need to rinse it thoroughly though. I probably lost a pound or two because it's very dusty at first. I would put an inch or 2 in a 5gal bucket and fill with water, swish around and pour off the free floating dust. I'd do it until I could swish the sand around and it would all settle in less than a min., but when you swirl the sand in the water and you're looking to see if it settles make sure the bucket isn't whirlpooling because the sand won't settle unless the water is almost still/stagnant. __________________ “Corporations pay people just enough money so they won’t quit. People work just enough so they don’t get fired. What's that about?” – Christopher Walken, Pool Hall Junkies

07-07-2005, 05:32 PM	#4
Osiris Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 25 Posts: 3,693	Crushed Coral from what i've heard is a nitemare when comes to gravel vac. Most show tanks i have seen have sand bottems, go to home depot for white play sand, will have a lil boy in blue overalls on it, you want that one, wash it good! very good! __________________ Reality is for people who can't handle Science-Fiction

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07-08-2005, 12:25 AM	#5
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,253	They don't make that stuff anymore ( Southdown Play Sand ). What's so nightmarish about crushed coral in regard to vacuuming? Things get cloudy, a few hours later it's clear again. My own opinion, since you asked, is that white is a terrible color for a tank bottom.

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