substrate question

[Renaldo]

Hi all,

I am in the process of setting up my 55gal. I was wondering what the best substrate would be if I plan on putting African Cichlids in it. I have heard that sand or gravel is fine, but I have also seen posts of people using crushed coral. Is the crushed coral a neccessity?

Also, what reccomendations do you have regarding rocks and wood.
Thanks!

EDIT: How important is it to have an undergravel filter? I guess what I am asking is whats the best way to get O2 into the tank. I still have a pump from my previous tank.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

to the forum. You have not introduced yourself in the newbie section. Please do so.

You can use a power filter and a bubble bar/stone...

As for the crushed coral, it is not necessary.

Also, will the fish need high or low pH. That will help you decide what types of rocks or wood to get, esp. if these will affect the pH.

 

[freddyk]

Hey Renaldo

Crushed coral is a method of buffering the water - keeping it safely at a higher ph, which Rift Lake Africans thrive in. It can be used as a substrate or a filter media, or not at all. Whether it would be a good idea depends on your current water perameters - what are your current PH and KH? Tests are available at the LFS. If the water already has suitable levels I prefer to go with an inert substrate.

There are many types of 'Africans' with an incredibly wide range of needs, so before decorating the tank it's best to decide what kind of setup you want.

Wood brings us back to the PH and KH again. In water with a a reasonably high PH and, more importantly, KH, some wood will have no affect on the water, but the more acid (lower ph) or less buffering (lower kh) the more affect wood can have on acidifying the water - not so good for Africans.

Undergravel filters are not necessary if you use a good power filter, and actually best avoided. If you choose sand as a substrate (the ideal substrate for most cichlids) the UGF will end up ineffective. In addition, cichlids tend to dig, and if they dig and expose the plates of the UGF it will be rendered ineffective.

 

[Renaldo]

WOW! thanks for the responses guys. I just tested the water and it looks to be at about 7.6 (which should be ok for african cichlids I think.

Next question is What type of sand do you reccomend?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Never used sand, but I have been told that you can use playbox sand from Home Depot, after it has been thoroughly cleaned. You can quote me on that, though I'll deny it.

 

[freddyk]

Two of the more popular sands are play sand and pool filter sand - both work well, PFS tends to be less dusty. I found a play sand from Home Depot that is just washed beach sand - it's dustless and very natural looking to me. You can see it in the pics below.
http/us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/42ad9ff5zea...hn8ssCBiTfxbNrZ

 

[catyrpelius]

I use sand blaster sand, which is alittle more expensive, but is cleaner and has a larger grain size then pool filter sand and play sand

 

[Renaldo]

Whats the best way to clean the sand? normally w/ gravel i just put it in a pasta strainer and rinse it.

 

[freddyk]

I don't know if it's the best way, but I just fill a 5 gallon bucket 1/3 full with sand and rinse it out until it's fairly clear.