Best substrate for a cichlid tank?

[KhmerStyle]

When I removed my sand, I use those plastic gardening tools to scoop them up, any little left over I sprayed out with water hose not verry hard but time consuming

[TexSun]

Depends on if you're looking to re-use it or not. Shop-Vac does wonders.

[danielp]

I like the look of Eco-Compete cichlid substrate.

+1

I like the larger size substrate.

I'm old school. I fill 5 gallon buckets treat it let it sit for a few days then vacuum my gravel and refill my tanks.

Yeah it's more labor intensive but i've never lost a fish doing it this way.