Alright. Here it goes. I have decided to convert my 40 g into a African Mbuna Tank, with sand substrate, rock decor, rock setup, the whole 9 yards... the only problem is that i am going from a blue clown-puke gravel subsrate to this, and i have not the slightest idea how to set up sand in a tank. ive heard it screws up filters, its dirty, you should get silica sand or pool filter sand, not play sand...... i just want some straight facts and help with setting this up, especially there are so many knowlegable African cichlid keepers on this site

Any info is GREATLY appreciated....
Few Questions i have, and please elaborate and give explanations, i really want to do this right!
-can i use ocean sand that has been boiled and cleaned?
-Driftwood?
-how to protect the filter?
-what type of sand?
-what africans?

once again, any info at all on african tanks greatly appreciated.... i know south americans, but tryin to broaden my horizen...

I used white silica "ARENA" sand from lowes, mixed with crushed coral and aragonite. no mess no fuss, been running in My Mbuna tank since august.

I hate the white silica sand, its a algae magnet and to heavy to pickup with syphon.

Haven't had an algae problem in this tank. Hey jackdempsy stay away from the wood . the tanins lower PH and you want higher PH with the Mbuna, The coral and aragonite and clean sea shells help buffer the higher PH and also add minerals to the water making it harder also.

I really like pool filter sand the best. Here's an old topic about it... POOL FILTER SAND.

I don't have much trouble with the filters unless the fish carry the sand up and spit it toward the intakes. A sponge prefilter would help that. I don't like the look so I don't use them. My canister filters aren't affected by sand.

Is your 40 gallon a 4 ft. tank?

no the tanks about 3 ft- how do you set up the sand without makin the water messy and screwin with the filter? will it eventually just settle? should silica be used, or play sand?

play sand float around, silicia sand sinks. I don't even have to clean the silicia sand, just pour in tank and fill up with water...

Cannister filters are not affected with sand (if the motor is on top of the cannister). I had problems with aquaclear filters, but not marineland 250 HOB type.

My fluvals have had no sand issues either, with the silica

the hardware store in town here only has play and blasting sands. Slica will be like 2$ lb to order cause they dont nomally carry it. Out of those, which is better? play is cheaper...but......yep. i dont use canisters- i belive its a fluval..not sure

go to home depot, I pd less than 8 bucks for a 100lb bag of silicia sand.

I got the same deal at Lowes $8.99 for 100 lb bag

cool, will do that thnx alot guys!