Caribsea Tahitian Moon Black Sand

[fry_lover]

Thinking about using this for my Malawi set-up.

Questions:

1. Cheapest i seen it on line for is £14.95 for 20lbs (9kg), does this sound about right?

2. Could i get away with 40 lbs (18kg) for My Rio 300 (48" length and 20" deep)? Or is that skimping too much? Will i need 60 lbs (27kg)


Thanks

 

[rabbut]

I used 15 KG of normal sand for my Rio 300, and this gave about three inches deapth for substrate. Usualy though, you don't want more than 2 inches deapth of sand in a tank though, as gas pockets may form. I would buy 18kg to be safe, but you may end up using less

HTH
Rabbut

 

[fry_lover]

I used 15 KG of normal sand for my Rio 300, and this gave about three inches deapth for substrate. Usualy though, you don't want more than 2 inches deapth of sand in a tank though, as gas pockets may form. I would buy 18kg to be safe, but you may end up using less

HTH
Rabbut

Thanks, that does help

 

[rdd1952]

It sells for about $14 to $20 (plus shipping of course) over here in the states. I'm not certain about the amount you need. I have it in 2 tanks but it's been so long since I set them up, I don't remember how much I used. From memory though, I don't think 2 bags will be enough. The largest tank I have it in is a 29 gallon (30" x 12") and you have almost 3 times that area. I'm sure I used more than 1 bag in it. I do remember that in my 75 gallon (48" x 18") I used 4 bags of Eco Complete and 2 bags of TMS on top (bad move as it settled through). As best I can remember (almost 3 years ago), the TMS only covered about 1/2" to 1" deep.

One other thing you may need to consider (maybe already have), is that TMS won't buffer your water like crushed coral or other substrates normally used for Africans to get the water pH where it needs to be for them. What is the pH/GH//KH of your water from the tap?

 

[fry_lover]

the pH is in-between 7.5 and 8.0 on the colour chart (although i think closer to 8.0)

The GH was 14 degrees and KH 9 degrees when i tested. Think in ppm it was 210/130 or very close (GH/KH)

I am pretty sure my tap water has a decent KH as the pH in my tanks NEVER changes, even with different kits AND loads of mopani and bog wood that tints the water in some of my tanks (no wood in my malawi)

What do you think of my GH/KH readings?

Also on this thread

http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/20...rdness-Results/

 

[rdd1952]

Sounds as if your tap water is fine then so you don't need the extra buffering. I don't keep cichlids but from what I have read, they prefer a higher pH but soft water. Unfortunately, that's a hard combination to find.