Best substrate for a cichlid tank?

[wildosworld]

I've only ever used gravel, but I hear there are many other options that can be better. What do you use? Reviews? Where to buy? Approximate cost? Any info will be useful! Thanks!

[TexSun]

Pool Filter Sand. Available at the local pool supply store, like Leslie's.. I like it because it provides a natural look for a minimal cost. It's usually cheap like under $20 for a 50# sack.

[johnnymisty]

Pfs i believe lelsies on champions/champion forest was $9.99 for a 50lb bag darker tan color stuff

[crazy42bmx]

A lot of people here do use the pfs, but you can also use crushed coral, reef sand, crushed granite. A cool place to look is rock yards and landscaping places. You can buy in bulk and sometimes they have good scape rock too!

[wildosworld]

Great ideas! Thanks all. Ive also heard some people mix sand and the crushed (shells, granite, etc). Ever tried this out? My fear would be separating them if I didnt like it!

[TexSun]

Great ideas! Thanks all. Ive also heard some people mix sand and the crushed (shells, granite, etc). Ever tried this out? My fear would be separating them if I didnt like it!

You could make a small test batch first to see if you like the textures & colors.

[flipside]

I thought crushed coral or reef sand was best because it stabilizes pH? Sorry... New to the FW game...

[wildosworld]

@Flipside: I'm new too.....thats why Im digging for ao much info! Haha

[digitallinh]

I ended up with a 1/3rd mix of 1. filter sand 2. caribseas fine crushed coral/aragonite and 3. caribsea white cichlid mix . I ended up liking the inconsistency of the sand granules for a more natural look.

The substrate doesn't do a lot to buffer the water since it requires water flowing over it to decompose effectively, for buffering purposes you would be better served with chunky crushed coral in your filter (in place of perhaps half the biomedia since the coral also serves as biomedia.)

[digitallinh]

I also want to note that the water in most of Houston comes out fine for most common Africans, and in most cases major adjustments are not really necessary.

You can buy substrates from petsolutions.com , and free shipping on orders over 50 bucks. It works out pretty well cost-wise.

[RonR.]

I used gravel for years and changed over to sand about 7 years ago. I use CaribSea's aragonite sand. The new name is Aragamax Select. It's 1 size up from their sugary sand. It helps with my pH (texas holey rock helps also). You can buy a 30 lb bag on-line at Petsmart for $22 I think. I think shipping is free as well.

My tap water's pH is 7.1. At every weekly water change I add a homemade cichlid buffer recipe consisting of baking soda, epsom salt and Instant Ocean sea salt. Within a couple of days my pH moves to 8.2-8.4.

Welcome to this forum.

[eklikewhoa]

I like the look of Eco-Compete cichlid substrate.

[LordBarron7692]

I use a course grain sand anything to fine and it stirs up something crazy but in the end its really your call when I first changed to sand I looked at alot of different set-up and sampled a ton of different sands

[wildosworld]

So, final question (for now): How do I change out the sand later if I want to?? I know how much of a pain it is to change gravel, so sand must be quite frustrating....

[LordBarron7692]

ummm its not too hard but its not the worlds easiest task either its a lot easier to move wet sand as oppsed to dry sand if that helps any but really it would depend on what you go with