Sand or Gravel substrate thoughts

Want to know opinions on substrate. I’m familiar with gravel but I would like a sand substrate to make it look more like a saltwater tank. Is sand too much work? I’m setting up a new 125 gallon with possible Cichlids. Heard sand can be sucked into filter and destroy them. I’m looking at a canister filter due to size of tank. Any thoughts please help

 

Personally, I think sand is easier than gravel. Maintenance is easy as gravel vaccing is not really necessary as all the particles just sit on top of the sand and are easily sucked up. As long as you get sand that's heavy enough it won't get sucked up. I like HTH pool filter sand from Ace Hardware

 

When I researched sand, it seemed it was easier in larger tanks like yours (not as close to the filter intake, less cloggjng). People who use it have lots of affordable options and I will let them speak on that .

i can say I went with an in between option that I am happy with. Freshwater Substrates - CaribSea
I went with peace river which looks like large grain sand but technically smooth and tiny gravel. They have other options too. BUT my largest tank is 30 and the others are only 10. I do have pygmy cories and kuhlis very successfully on this substrate as well long finned bettas and less fly up than sand.

Sand can be much cheaper and in your case I may have tried it. Just wanted to share a third option.

 

I use coarse pool sand in my cichlid tanks.
No problems with cleaning , or with multiple
HOB's that have been on 4 tanks ranging from 32g to 55g for up to 2 years.

 

Ron, which actual sand do you use?

 

I live in Canada, so info may not be helpful.
The sand is sold by a retail store (Rona Hardware). It is a store brand, it is typical of sand sold for swimming pool filters.
Not sure how this compares to " pool sand. "
outside Canada.
It is very coarse, no fine silt after rinsing.
One 32g tank houses a colony of Multies, who move the sand into new peaks and valleys daily....no problem.
Pic just now.

 

I use to be a sand fan.But switched to a 3-4mm gravel. I dont garvel vac I want mulm to build up in the gravel so the plants grow better with the aid of the odd root tab.

 

Depends on the cichlids you want to keep but some species require sand rather than gravel. Same goes for corydoras - better to keep those on sand rather than rough gravel too. To be honest, I think most bottom dwellers would prefer sand to gravel.

I use various substrates in my tanks including very fine silver sand in a couple of tanks and aragonite sand in another. Never noticed it being kicked up and sucked into the filters and I don’t find it any harder to keep clean than gravel.

 

If you want sand go for it there are few disadvantages non are major and they can be overcome.

 

I’m also a fan of the tan HTH pool filter sand; Inexpensive, looks great, and easy to rinse.
I have canisters and no problem with it being sucked into them.