Substrate Question

[chemflex]

I'm converting one of my community tanks into a Malawi Cichlid community. I know that coral sand would obviously be the best substrate combined with ocean rock. However I was hoping to use a black based substrate for a more spectacular effect.

My LFS used to sell black crush coral sand, but don't anymore. I just wondered if fine black gravel mixed with crushed coral sand would have a similar effect, and if it would be any use?

 

[Ferris]

Crushed coral is generally either used to raise the Ph levels or simply because of personal choice. Sand is the substrate these fish are used to in their native environment so if you want to create a biotope, that's the way to go.

Bottom line is that it's personal preference. One word of caution though - if you mix fine gravel with crushed coral, you are likely to find that the substrate will settle over time and you could end up with either the coral or the gravel sitting on top, which would kind of defeat the object.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Sand would be the best substrate.

 

[jollysue]

I mixed black sand with Eco Complete Cichlid gravel and crushed shell and--Guess What?--the sand settled to the bottom and the crushed gravel is on top. My frontie doesn't sift the rough stuff like he might sand. I don't see that same problem where I mixed the EcoComplete Cichlid sand with the EcoComplete gravel and crushed shells. I believe the Eco Complete sand may b e a heavier sand. It is also a little darker than regular sand.

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

Chemflex youve stolen my AVATAR !!

 

[Druchii]

Chemflex youve stolen my AVATAR !!

lol - location Merseyside, says it all

Back onto the substrate question.

Go with sand, its natural and the fish will sift to a degree, coral can cuase damage and irritation to the gill's when they try to do the same.

If you need to raise the ph or buffer it, put some in an old sock and place in the external filter...

Coral Gravel has little r no effect in raising the pH and only does little to buffer it when on the floor of the tank, that is unless you have an undergravel filter, as its the rapid movement of the water running over it that allows it to be buffered...

Please remember that an UGF will not work with Coral SAND thou.

HTH

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

lol - location Merseyside, says it all

that will be it

 

[jollysue]

So what do you think of EcoComplete Cichlid substrate?

 

[Druchii]

So what do you think of EcoComplete Cichlid substrate?

Sorry i have no experience of it

 

[jollysue]

I think I will have to change the big boy's substrate. I will order it. He doesn't sift substrate anymore. He will bend down and draw in at the surface of the substrate occasionally, but he always misses the fallen food. Keeps the snails healthy. He only has a 50 usg. Poor guy. he can only stroll the foot to his clay pot and turn around to stroll back.

But as soon as the lights go on he comes out and watches everything. When the lights go off he goes to his pot and rock.