So is pool filter sand merely adequate or a good choice? - Aquarium Advice

Finatic · 11-26-2006, 02:46 PM

The reason i ask this question is that I am putting together a 75gal Cichlid tank and planning my setup now.

I am going to go with 2 Emporer 400's, a mix of river stone, flat rock, and drift wood.

I am trying to decide on a substrate now, and I see references to pool filter sand. Is this a good substarte to choose for Cichlids? Will I be limited in any that rub on the sand b/c it is too sharp?

Thanks for the help.

bs6749 · 11-26-2006, 04:02 PM

It is not too sharp for cichlids. What type do you plan to have in the tank? Arficans will prefer a higher pH so you may want a substate other than pfs that will help to keep it at a higher level. Do you plan on having any live plants?

**Fishyfanatic** · 11-26-2006, 04:23 PM

PFS is an excellent form of substrate. I use it in all of my tanks. My Africans love it since it is easier for them to aquascape with. You will not be limited since pfs isn't that sharp.

Lonewolfblue · 11-26-2006, 04:33 PM

PFS is an excellent choice. My loaches and fire eel love it.

Finatic · 11-26-2006, 07:23 PM

Thanks for the help so far. I am planning an African Cichlid tank, leaning towards Malawi, but that could change after some more research.

If I go with the PFS, is there a way to make sure my system is buffered at the higher pH? I understand, the desired pH is around 8.0. The river stone and flat rock, which I can find for free around here from a swift flowing river, won't do much to buffer that high.

**Fishyfanatic** · 11-26-2006, 09:55 PM

What is your current pH? If it is already high and you have a good buffer already in the water there is no need to add anything to the tank.

**Zagz** · 11-27-2006, 12:15 AM

I agree that PFS is an excellent choice for cichlids and all fish IMO. I have a 125 gal malawi cichlid tank with 150lbs of PFS.

Voodoo Chilli · 11-27-2006, 09:16 AM

Personally, I'm not a fan of PFS in my tanks. The grains seem to be very small and seem to get disturbed with even the slightest bit of current. I've also read that some pool and play sand can have high quantities of silicates, which can lead to algae issues. Not to mention it has zero buffering capacity.

I use sand made for African species (I believe Carib Sea makes it). I've also used marine sand (sand, not crushed coral) as well. Granted, this may be a more expensive option when setting up a tank, but that's just part of it, IMO.

**Fishyfanatic** · 11-27-2006, 08:14 PM

Substrate does not need buffering capacity as long as your tap water does.

We used Este's sand for our 29 gal tank (big mistake) and it is very light and easily disturbed. The PFS that we use is a lot heavier and does not disturb easily at all. It probably depends on which brand of PFS that you use.

CHBGator · 11-28-2006, 12:19 AM

I used a mixture of PFS and Aragonite in my 55G Malawi tank and its great. the Fish love to move it around and its keeping my PH at 8.0 for the past 4 months.

11-26-2006, 02:46 PM	#1
Finatic Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 160 Images: 4	So is pool filter sand merely adequate or a good choice? The reason i ask this question is that I am putting together a 75gal Cichlid tank and planning my setup now. I am going to go with 2 Emporer 400's, a mix of river stone, flat rock, and drift wood. I am trying to decide on a substrate now, and I see references to pool filter sand. Is this a good substarte to choose for Cichlids? Will I be limited in any that rub on the sand b/c it is too sharp? Thanks for the help.

11-26-2006, 04:02 PM	#2
bs6749 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lawton, MI Posts: 1,366	It is not too sharp for cichlids. What type do you plan to have in the tank? Arficans will prefer a higher pH so you may want a substate other than pfs that will help to keep it at a higher level. Do you plan on having any live plants? __________________ 100G Discus Tank, 55G Planted RCS Tank, 29G Angelfish Tank w/Breeders, 29G Class N Endler Tank, 10G CRS/CBS (S+, SS) Tank, 10G Yellow Shrimp Tank, 10G Snowball Shrimp Tank, and a breeding experiment with ghost shrimp in my other 10G tank.

11-26-2006, 04:23 PM	#3
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,267 Images: 15	PFS is an excellent form of substrate. I use it in all of my tanks. My Africans love it since it is easier for them to aquascape with. You will not be limited since pfs isn't that sharp. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

11-26-2006, 04:33 PM	#4
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	PFS is an excellent choice. My loaches and fire eel love it. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

11-26-2006, 09:55 PM	#6
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,267 Images: 15	What is your current pH? If it is already high and you have a good buffer already in the water there is no need to add anything to the tank. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

11-26-2006, 07:23 PM	#5
Finatic Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 160 Images: 4	Thanks for the help so far. I am planning an African Cichlid tank, leaning towards Malawi, but that could change after some more research. If I go with the PFS, is there a way to make sure my system is buffered at the higher pH? I understand, the desired pH is around 8.0. The river stone and flat rock, which I can find for free around here from a swift flowing river, won't do much to buffer that high.

11-27-2006, 09:16 AM	#8
Voodoo Chilli Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Niota, TN Posts: 871 Images: 1	Personally, I'm not a fan of PFS in my tanks. The grains seem to be very small and seem to get disturbed with even the slightest bit of current. I've also read that some pool and play sand can have high quantities of silicates, which can lead to algae issues. Not to mention it has zero buffering capacity. I use sand made for African species (I believe Carib Sea makes it). I've also used marine sand (sand, not crushed coral) as well. Granted, this may be a more expensive option when setting up a tank, but that's just part of it, IMO. __________________ Current species: Neolamprologus multifasciatus Lamprologus stappersi

11-27-2006, 08:14 PM	#9
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,267 Images: 15	Substrate does not need buffering capacity as long as your tap water does. We used Este's sand for our 29 gal tank (big mistake) and it is very light and easily disturbed. The PFS that we use is a lot heavier and does not disturb easily at all. It probably depends on which brand of PFS that you use. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

11-28-2006, 12:19 AM	#10
CHBGator Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 110 Images: 2	I used a mixture of PFS and Aragonite in my 55G Malawi tank and its great. the Fish love to move it around and its keeping my PH at 8.0 for the past 4 months. __________________ Ohio Fish Keepers

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
swimming pool filter sand or 'normal' pool sand?	gu2high	Freshwater & Brackish - Planted Tanks	5	09-26-2007 08:08 PM
Pool filter sand	Aquarium Freak	Saltwater Fish Only & FOWLR	1	11-29-2006 09:18 PM
Pool filter sand	Dr Grant	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	4	07-29-2006 03:11 PM
pool filter sand	llh0043	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	5	09-14-2005 11:23 AM
Pleco's and Pool Filter Sand - Update - Added Sand Today! :)	noteworthy	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	10	01-02-2005 01:40 PM