Pros and Cons of Black Sand with cichlids?

[Complexity]

I'm considering redoing my 90g tank with black sand. I currently have Leslie's Pool Filter Sand which is pretty, but I really love the look of the black substrate, black rocks, black background with colorful fish swimming around.

Are there any drawbacks to having black sand? How does it look as the fish live in the tank for awhile with normal amounts of algae and detritus? Do the fish respond okay to an all black environment?

[armthehomeless]

It darkens the color of the fish. This could be seen as an advantage/disadvantage.

[barrettsline]

Can't speak on personal use of black sand, but while very pretty in and aquarium, I have seen pictures where a fishes color seems to dull with so much dark coloring.


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.253425,-95.211105

[barrettsline]

+1 on what armthehomless said. Sorry bro typed before I saw your post.


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.253425,-95.211105

[Complexity]

Darkens as in black spots similar to how discus respond? Or does it muddy their color?

[Complexity]

I have seen pictures where a fishes color seems to dull with so much dark coloring.

We're all posting at the same time! LOL!

Okay, that answered my other question. So I need to stick with the lighter sand. Oh, well, it was a thought! Thanks for the info!

[Andrew_B]

Fish wont physically change color, but they will blend in and not pop out. Its the reason people use white sand and blue backgrounds for troph tanks.. although it makes the tank hideous looking, but the fish pop out big time

[Complexity]

The other thought I'm having is to make a custom background, but I don't know if I have the time, and then there's the physical limitations (I can't manage a 90g tank by myself). Since I already have fish in the tank, the only way I could do it is to buy another 90g tank, do the background, and then switch the tanks out (IF I can get help). This is partly why I'm considering a change of substrate.

The other thoughts is that I have a LOT of extra black rocks that I want to add to my tank which means I'll need to pull out the rocks I have now and rescape all the rocks. That also opens up opportunities for changing the substrate.

My current substrate is full of Malaysian trumpet snails. So the whole thing is making me think of tossing my substrate for new. But the goal is the highlight the fish so I wouldn't want to go to all that trouble just to have the fish display looking ugly in the end.

[barrettsline]

I know alot of people have started doing the 3d backgrounds and I love them. I use Leslie's pool filter sand a black background and holey rock in my cichlid tanks. Just a personal preference. And it provides alot of room for fry to hide.


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.253576,-95.210738

[Complexity]

Yeah, I know holy rock is popular, but I'm not a big fan of it. I think my black on black preference comes from my planted tanks, but the abundant plants brighten the overall look up considerably. I started out being successful with live plants in the cichlid tank, but when I got busy with school and skipped a couple of feedings, the fish discovered that the plants were tasty and that was the end of that. So now I have fake plants which are so ugly, but the fish do better with them in the tank. It helps break up their line of sight and offers additional hiding places.

If I did a custom background, here's the design that I've fallen in love with: http://dramaticaquascapes.com/AS0004-3.html

I have 6 more weeks to prepare for my GRE exam and then apply for grad school. Then I'll have some time while waiting for acceptance and starting which is the time I'd have to do the tank IF I did it. The biggest drawback is that I can't do it alone. I almost broke my 90g putting in the few measly rocks I have in there now so I'm a bit scared to change them out, but I'm not happy with what I have. Plus, I have a ton of these black rocks just sitting here. So I need to decide on whether I want to try to do a custom background or just change out the rocks or just what.

[barrettsline]

If nothing else, send out an SOS for help. That's probably what I'm going to do to get my 300 and 150 move so I don't have to do a full break down on the 150. We are the fish box!


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.256367,-95.212304

[barrettsline]

That background is amazing. Didn't really have time to look around on my phone to easy, but what's one of those run?


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.255974,-95.212012

[Complexity]

I hate always being on the asking side of SOS requests. I prefer to give as well as take so I've held off asking. But I've thought that maybe I'd have enough rocks to give to anyone who helps me, if they want them. I have a ton of those rocks and have promised my husband (who is not helpful to me with any of this so don't ask) that I'd get them off the patio. That promise was 2 years ago!

The background I showed you is a custom build using styrofoam and cement. The page I linked to is page 3 of the directions (the end results). Go to pages 1 and 2 to see how they made it. This is something I can do myself for the most part, but I'd need help moving the tank around to do the background and then to switch the tanks out when I finished it.

This is one of the reasons I wanted to address the algae issues in the tank. Can you imagine putting in the time, effort, and money to build a background like that only to have it ruined with algae? Fortunately, I've gotten the algae issue figured out so now I can move forward with plans for a rescape. Just not sure I can manage a background like that.

[barrettsline]

I completely understand on all aspects. As far as algae goes, crude is having some big algae issues on his 90 gallon, you dealing with live plants may be better able to help him than I can it's posted in the same location tours is I think.


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.256054,-95.212523

[Complexity]

Okay, I missed that post. I'll look for it. That's one place I am able to help is to help others when they're having problems (if I can).