Which substrate is better for my African Cichlids?

[dacaptain78]

Hello,
I currently keep 9 various Lake Malawi African Cichlids, one Frontosa, one Synodontis, and one pleco in a 75 gallon tank and am thinking of changing my substrate from Eco-complete gravel to sand. I have no problem with the gravel but I have come to like the look of sand better and feel that it will make tank maintenance a bit easier.
My main concern is with my albino zebra who enjoys burrowing in the gravel. I am worried that if the zebra can not burrow in the sand she will become stressed. On the other hand, if she does continue to burrow how much of a mess will the sand make in throughout the tank? Would the zebra create a sand storm each time she burrows? I had a similar problem in a SW tank with a wrasse. Cleaning sand off the rock work is not fun.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

It's all personal preference. I prefer sand, pool filter sand to be exact. It's heavy and won't create a "sand storm" effect. Mine are constantly moving it around, picking it up and spitting.

 

[kickeralpine]

i like gravel for cichlids just because there little dirty and i can clean with my pyphon

 

[dacaptain78]

Thank you for the responses. As long as there are no health/behavioral risks towards my fish I think I will try the sand.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

You can clean sand with your Python. Just use a heavier sand and you don't have to worry about sucking any of it up.

 

[Zagz]

I have 125 gal with African cichlids and PFS. I use the python like FF with no trouble for weekly gravel vacs. My cichlids keep digging around in the sand, they change the landscaping daily.

 

[Voodoo Chilli]

I like sand with Africans too-- and find it much easier to keep clean than gravel.

 

[Idealconcepts]

I had PFS in my Malawi tank, switched it to black 3M Color Quartz, I like both probably because they are both sand. All my tanks that have subsrtate are all sand. Just make sure you use a prefilter on the intakes of your filters or get ones that are not know to have problems with sucking up sand.