In the near future I will be upgrading my Malawi tank to a larger size. I am going to do a more traditional Malawi aquascape. I don't think I will use any plant in this tank. However, I will be using a ton of rock. My question for all of you is this...

What kind of sand substrate should I use?


BTW - I know a lot of you would say all-purpose sand form Home Depot, but I've also seen some ultra fine white sand being used in other tanks that I am fond of. Does anyone know what kind of sand I'm talking about?


Thank you in advance.

Sugar sand all white. I am selling enough yo fill a 46 gal bow with 1.5" for 30 lmk if you need some. Its very fine and very white. Just breaking down tank and downsizing

I'm talking BLACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO TO HAWAII and see,but really does seem to bring out the colors of the fish.Frontosas have beautiful blue accents,but alot of people are disappointed when they see then in person,because they think the fish is stressd or they got the wrong kind,but i added some black sand and voila,all kind of blue showin on 'em.Also,every one who has seen the tank says it looks better,as well as the fish.You can tell when the fish swims in front of a white rock,you can barely see the blue. :beer

Okay, I was trolling the net looking for answers and now I have a few questions...

You mentioned the "sugar sand", does your filter system suck a lot of it in? Have you noticed that you need to clean your filters\tank more often? Does it make your tank cloudy? And finally, does it change your pH at all?

.....also,slate rock looks nice and is also black-good luck!

.... oh btw,sugar sand may not be too good.Didn't someone say its too fine,something like pool filter sand would be better.

The sugar sand doesn't stir at all and I use a sheik 2217 and never have to clean it but like every 4 months if I really want to but hardly any sand gets in the filter at all

Filter sand worked well for me.

That black sand would look so nice for many of the blue tinted fish. Would draw out some of the subtle shades for sure.

I use regular pool sand. It is light and won't compact. Since these fish are avid diggers they love the easy to move sand. I have to push sand back all the time during water changes. (I believe it keeps fish from getting to ingrained in territories)

I have always used the $5-$6 bags of pool filter and from Home Depot and my filters have always been fine. It really doesn't kick up at all during water changes or in general. I love it. Love the price too.

eco-cichlid sand from my lfs (black/white)(brown/white) some kind expensvie but is what i use in all the tanks
HRT have sand dor sale and comes in differents colors