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is it bad to use sand as sustrate in my cichlid tank2007-11-24 23:37:15Answers:

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.

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im not sure what that is,,i have snakes and i know its not good for them

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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

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The short answer is "no".