FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hi there

Hoping someone can help. Will shortly be setting up an African cichlid tank & I'm wondering what other Aussies have used as a substrate to keep the pH buffered correctly.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers
TW

I'm not an Aussie, but maybe I can help anyways. Aragonite sand or gravel is common in rift lake setups, and helps to buffer pH. I'm not sure if this is sold in Australia, but Carib-Sea sells an Eco-Complete African cichlid substrate, and it's supposed to speed up the cycling process too. Might give that a try.

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I've used special "cichlid-sand" in my tanganyikan tank, and all it was is aragonite mixed with black tahitian moon sand. You should be able to find either or both of those no problem. Crushed coral is also a popular choice.

Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...

Alot of people use crushed coral as a substrate. I used very fine gravel for mine and used baking soda at water change time to buffer the pH. I have not seen any substrates sold here as "african cichlid" substrates, nor have I seen any on distributor lists at the lfs. Maybe you will have better luck where you are.

---

Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Thanks everyone.

I had planned to try to get the caribsea cichlid substrates. Age of Aquariums was going to try & stock them, but find they can't due to the expensive freight costs.

carpe_diem, thanks for the info. I knew of that site already, but $57 for around 9kg (19.5lb)was just too much for us. We would have needed a couple of bags.

A local LFS sold us some sort of blackish substrate that is meant to be an African Rift Lake buffer & we got all we needed to set up for $24. As well, they had what looked like rocks, but which is actually dead coral - so that will help too.

Thanks again for the advice.

Cheers
TW

Was the black stuff Onyx, by any chance? Seachem sells it as an all-purpose substrate but targets it for African cichlid tanks. I haven't met anyone who has tried it yet.

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Hi sirbooks

No, it wasn't onyx. The packaging was not a known fish brand - looked like it was a bag from a landscape wholesaler, although we bought it from LFS. I know it wasn't crushed marble, as I was trying to avoid that. This LFS seems to have picked 4 varying grades of crushed white marble & 4 varying grades of blackish gravel that it markets as African cichlid buffering gravel. Next time I'm there, I'll ask what it is & come back to this thread & let you know.

Cheers
TW

i agree Carib Sea products are quite exy here

when you do find out what the product is let us know as im planning on redoing my tank next year and want a black/white gravel look.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

---

Truth doesn't always win friends but it influences them

Thanks carpe_diem

I don't usually go to this LFS all that much, only when my C02 gas bottle needs refilling, but when I do, I will certainly ask and post here. If he hasn't thrown out the packaging yet, I'll ask him to check that out. You'll get that look you want, with the crushed white marble mixed with the black we used.

I'm setting this tank up at my son's, as for now I am banned from more tanks at home. So, it's my clayton's tank - the tank I have, when I don't have a tank. Luckily, my son wanted a tank for christmas & I showed him African cichlids (which I was keen to have) and he liked them. So, our present to him is a 2nd hand 4ft tank, stand, filter & a new light to suit. He's paying for the rest, but we're picking the decorations & the fish together. Only thing he picked that I wouldn't have, is a branchy piece of dead white coral. So, I'm having lots of fun. No fish yet, just running the tank empty for a week. We plan on juvenile electric yellows as the first cycling fish.

I'll let you know the gravel name when I can.

Cheers
TW

carpe_diem, if you read this, I didn't do very well in finding out the name of the gravel for you. Went to the LFS yesterday with my son, who was picking up a couple of fish. The LFS worker who helped us out yesterday was very deadpan type personality. I asked him what was in the gravel & he said "I don't know" and showed no interest in finding out for us.

I've always been happy with the service there in the past (although I haven't seen this guy before). I may have better luck on my next trip. If I ever find out what it is, I promise to post the info here.

Cheers
TW