Sand for African cichlids

[The boring name]

Ok so going to get black sand blasting sand tonight to redo my tank, any thoughts. And also is this sand safe for munba Africans because they dig so much? Thanks

 

[cheryldooley]

My Africans are ok with it. They push the sand with the body rather then pick up gravel with the mouth haha it's even cuter now. I just switched to sand as well

 

[The boring name]

Haha cool thanks will post pic after finished

 

[cheryldooley]

My babies. The snow cichlid is doing crazy digging!!! It's neat how he throws his body into moving sand from his cave haha

 

[cheryldooley]

Haha cool thanks will post pic after finished

Can't wait to see!!

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

Just make sure you wash it good, Some people complain of a oilly substance while washing. You want this all gone before you put it in your tank. My favorite sand is pool filter, has a nice natural tan color

 

[The boring name]

B
Bout to take gravel out and wash sand will the sand mess with my canister?

 

[cheryldooley]

Make sure to turn filter on after all waters been replaced but it shouldn't. It has been known to get in a filter motor and jam it but it's rare

 

[cheryldooley]

Make sure to turn filter on after all waters been replaced but it shouldn't. It has been known to get in a filter motor and jam it but it's rare

Don't turn it on during..

 

[cheryldooley]

How's it coming along??

 

[The boring name]

Washed the sand pretty dirty with alk the stuff hidden under the gravel had to shove my poor cichlids in a 10 gal for tonight but the tank is cycled had a 50 gal filter and heater with some rocks they seem to be doing ok. Going to let water clear up then tomorrow add some more sand do a water change and see what happens from there.

 

[The boring name]

One question if then 10 is cycled would they be ok to leave one more night? There are about 10 ranging from 2" to 4"

 

[erikmoseley]

One question if then 10 is cycled would they be ok to leave one more night? There are about 10 ranging from 2" to 4"

You can try but may be risky. I had mine in a bucket while I did my swap and one got beaten badly. So your leaving them in one night or two?

 

[The boring name]

Yes right now all is fine hoping it says that way

 

[The boring name]

Almost there just add plants and more rocks. How does it look so far?

 

[erikmoseley]

View attachment 218314
Almost there just add plants and more rocks. How does it look so far?

Good start. I'd maybe look toward more round rocks that can pile higher. I need to for my mbuna tank too. I've been lookin on web at pics of others an I feel like personally a rock like towards each end with some scattered single rocks toward the middle and some open swim space is nice. Kinda like these.

I'd like to make mine similar to these. That's my preference! How much better does your tank look w sand?! Thumbs up btw!

 

[cheryldooley]

Looking good so far

 

[The boring name]

If only if only. But I'm really digging the sand. Nice color. Here is the finished project

 

[The boring name]

Would the tank be ready to throw the fish back in?

 

[The boring name]

Thanks took a long time