African cichlid sand

[sunkenmetal]

so is African cichlid sand like the type caribsea sells is it necessary with the hard water around here?

[mnemenoi]

Not really, I utilize aragonite and our boy uses the African sand in his shellie tank. It is mostly for buffering it up and to possibly reproduce their enviroment a bit better, but I notice very little buffering if any. The African rift lake salt and liquid Tanganyika buffer are about the same in effect, but can be used to buffer up a bit more. I think its likely not necessary, but when setting it up I just err on the side of caution and use it instead of something else. If I already had an inert substrate I would likely just use it.

[TangoMIke]

I have had great luck with just inert sand(Pool sand) and our water. The hardness is already there..Just add fish

[sunkenmetal]

That is what I was thinking I am trying to keep this tank for my shellies as simple as possible...

[eklikewhoa]

The substrate buffers more than just pH so I think the benefits vs. the minimal amount of added work involved in comparison to any other sand is great.


I prefer Eco-Complete cichlid substrate though.

[sunkenmetal]

got think about it I guess

[armthehomeless]

My fish can't tell how much I spend on sand.

[barrettsline]

My fish can't tell how much I spend on sand.

+1

[TangoMIke]

Mine can tell how much I spend..When the get surley I just don't feed them a couple days. They straighten out realk quick I guess I just prefer to spend the money on the fish. I have never had any trouble getting them to breed..I guess that says something

[barrettsline]

True mike, I don't think anyone can argue your results.

[TangoMIke]

LOL Thanks Man

[cu0ngsayz]

id spend the extra money on fish! unless its a salty tank i like my PFS

[sunkenmetal]

I am just going to leave it alone... changing stuff is what got me into trouble last time...