A couple of questions I need answered please.

[Mr. Schertz]

I picked up a brand new 65 gallon tank(36x18x24) today. Along with it I bought a aqua clear 110 for filtration. I also bought a couple of bags of the CaribSea african cichlid mix. Its actually a salt and pepper fine gravel? It says sand but its just a little bigger than a grain of sand. Is this safe to use? I am planning to do a fish only tank with some dry rock and macro algae. I wanted to know what my stocking options are?

[seabass]

Their Sahara Sand is 0.5mm to 1.5mm in size (which should be alright). It does contain aragonite, so it should help buffer pH. CaribSea doesn't provide a lot more information than that.

 

Is the macro algae for display, food for herbivores, or for nutrient export?

[Mr. Schertz]

The macro is for display and nutrient export

[Mr. Schertz]

Anyone else?

[seabass]

A 65 gallon tank will give you some decent options. Seeing that you will be featuring macro algae, you'll have to stay away from aggressive algae eaters (like rabbitfish, angelfish, and urchins). I think a tank bred pair of Kaudern's Cardinals would look awesome amongst the macros. Or maybe a trio of dartfish.

[Mr. Schertz]

How about a loaded damsel tank with maybe some type of eel?

[seabass]

Maybe a Snowflake Eel (Echidna nebulosa) and a Pinkface Wrasse (Thalassoma quinquevittatum). The eel should be fine with any fish that it can't swallow.

[Mr. Schertz]

Maybe a Snowflake Eel (Echidna nebulosa) and a Pinkface Wrasse (Thalassoma quinquevittatum). The eel should be fine with any fish that it can't swallow.

Is that all I could put in? How about a school of green chromis?

[seabass]

I suspect that it will eat them. Maybe someone that has kept one can chime in.