When I had Geophagus Bahia sp. Hi I have a American cichlid set up with some large fish such as red terrors, red tigers a few large geo's a Madagascan a blue Texas and a few others in a 600/700 litre tank. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Tank Mate Selection . Their name means “rockfish” in the language of the Tonga people of Malawi. It lets them easily burrow and dig around easily without hurting themselves. Designed to simulate the bed of an African rift lake, the large pellet size of this premium-quality, all-natural material provides ample living space for beneficial microbes and anchoring for plants. Best Substrate? Easily one of the best African cichlids substrates that you can buy on the market but over the years the grain size appears to be slightly bigger so not suitable for African shell dwellers. Use them in your aquariums and ponds to make the floor bottom look great. The best substrate for mbuna ciclids is sand, but you can complement it with crushed corals and rocks to give your tank an authentic look and keep your ph stable. Rocky substrates are other good alternatives, allowing you to imitate the rocky lake bottoms to which African cichlids are native. The addition of trace elements and PH buffering minerals can greatly increase the chances of your success in keeping these kinds of tanks. Crushed corals are a common alternative to sand when it comes to good mbuna substrates. You should definitely vacuum the substrate in a cichlids tank once in a while, to make sure all the debris and dirt gets removed from the substrate. The planted tank substrate is sized to allow for maximum root growth of your plants. Plecos. Trying to figure out what the best substrate is to use for my African Cichlids. This is a very basic substrate, yet completely ideal for Cichlids. These types of substrate also encourage cichlids to root around for food and to spawn. Recreate your finned friends’ natural habitat with Pure Water Pebbles African Cichlid Aquarium Substrate. To get an idea of a setup they would like, we need to look at where the parent species live in the wild (such as the Midas Cichlid).These fish live in the warm flowing freshwaters of Central America. The substrates to avoid are usually marked for African cichlids or reef tanks. Thanks to the smooth surface, it’s completely safe for your cichlids. When considering substrate, one thing to keep in mind is your filters. best substrate. It’s a lot easier to raise the pH and GH than to lower it. So remember to invest only in the best substrate for malawi cichlids by checking out the products we listed above, and enjoy a long, healthy, and happy aquarium-bound life for your beautiful little pets. Some types of cichlids will even burrow into the sediment and play dead so that they can lay in wait for prey. Moreover, African Cichlids, in the wild, generally live in places where the natural substrate is sand. Close. An example of such a rock is Texas holey rock. Leni said: I have a 55 gallon tank that I'm going to put African cichlids in (haven't decided which lake yet), and I'm trying to find a good substrate that has good buffering capabilities but is as inexpensive as possible. Plain, well washed sand is an excellent choice of substrate for your child tank. Ceramic rocks such as this one work well, too, and they usually look just like the real thing. The dwarf cichlids grow to just 2-3”, with the female generally a little larger than the male. Simply put, sand will mimic the natural environment in which they usually live. As they want to create enough space for themselves as they find themselves near the bottom of the tank, they will start to dig into the substrate in order to move it around and to make way for themselves. For instance, many African cichlids prefer a higher pH. Pick Up In-Store: Sort & Filter. Jul 3, 2009. View detailed profile or … There could be over 1500 species, but most of these still need to be described by scientists.. South America is also home to lots of cichlid species; there are even some that live in Asia. It’s also very natural and free of any substances or chemicals, so it won’t cloud the water when the fish start moving it around. African Cichlids are builders. Even though this substrate is pH neutral and doesn’t affect the GH, make sure that your tap water’s parameters are adequate before choosing this fish. Then I see the stuff about the importance of crushed coral, white sand and even shells to help with the pH. It gets inside the filter and can cause lots of wear and tear. At best, you can select the right type of substrate that won’t harm them, and you should also make sure you don’t have plants rooted deeply, or you’re risking that the cichlids will dig them out of the substrate. Thu Feb 05, 2015 10:56 am. Carib Sea Seafloor is another great choice if you need some help with buffering. Since its cave is quite large, it can easily accommodate cichlids of all sizes. You can keep this fish in pairs in an aquarium of 60 liters. You can combine the substrate with your tank’s background to create an amazing tank that will be a joy for both your fish and yourself. Just like Echinodorus, Cryptocorynes are mainly root feeders and should ideally be fed via a substrate enriched with nutrients. Passive community fish like neons, barbs and tetras may look like dinner to your picky cichlids. It’s a lot easier to raise the pH and GH than to lower it. These things buffer the water to ensure that pH stays high and stable without the continuous addition of chemicals into the system. Rocks are especially important for mbuna cichlids since they like to hide, but also for any other fish that may be feeling stressed and needs some alone time. We recommend doing monthly or even weekly vacuuming, even though it can be consuming. Let’s dive into Lake Malawi for a moment to check out Mbuna’s natural habitat: Now, let’s translate this to your tank. It provides living space for beneficial microbes and anchoring for plants. If your pH levels are already fine, you can go with sand. Here is a list that holds the top best African Cichlid tank mates. Search. This substrate contains Aragonite, making it a perfect African cichlid substrate. There are many different things they want to achieve with this: These are all possible reasons, and in some cases, there’s not really much you can do. It’s made specifically for African species, including African cichlids, so it will suite your fish nicely. A 1” to 2” bed is best, as many species love to dig! In addition, some larger species - especially during mating season - treat the decoration and the aquarium substrate rather roughly. I have read over and over again that the best substrate for African Cichlids is dark or black (gravel or sand). Because African cichlids will uproot plants, and they will move them around and displace them. Use a minimum of 1-lb Pure Water Pebbles African Cichlid Substrate per gallon of fresh water. Whether your African cichlid is going to eat shrimp or not depends on its diet. Then by the time it has consumed the rest of the community tank it has established itself as part of the family. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. African cichlids will dig in the substrate in the tank, a natural behavior that they use to scavenge and hunt for prey. It’s also hard and alkaline because it contains lots of minerals. In their natural habitats, cichlids like to relax, breed, or hide in secluded places and that’s why they become timid, stressed or aggressive if they have to dwell in a bare tank with no hideaways. 5 Things to Consider. All Rights Reserved. If you have shell dwellers, then it might not be the best idea to vacuum the substrate. These mineralogically complete substrates contain aragonite to maintain the high pH African Cichlids need. To make sure they feel at home in your tank, it’s important to adjust its setup to their natural habitat. They will move around the sand, and they will actually reshape the entire aquarium. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges in fishkeeping is waiting for your prized tank to establish a sufficient colony of bacteria to handle the bioload of your aquarium before stocking it full. This is a good mixture of sand and fine gravel, and it won’t harm your fish. When you buy through my links, I may earn a commission. Onyx is another Seachem substrate however this substrate is exclusively … A good way to combat this is to minimize the debris by feeding them just enough food. Disclaimer: We do not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. Mbuna, a type of African cichlid famous for their striking colors and behavior, is endemic to Lake Malawi. This type of substrate is highly recommended to keep tank water hard or alkaline. Its light color and texture will remind you of soft, sandy beaches, so it should fit in nicely with any setup. © 2020 Aquarium Genie - The best for your tank, The best calcium reactor and why you need one, The best algae scrubber for your aquarium. The Blue Ram or Butterfly Cichlid (Microphagus ramirezi) hails from the rivers of Columbia and Venezuela. Mbuna also like to sift the substrate for food; the tiny sand grains they ingest help with their digestion. Texas holey rock is definitely on top of the list when it comes to mbuna cichlids. African Cichlid Substrate Rift Lake Gravel - Dry 20LBS (Grain size: 2.0 -3.5mm)Provides Rift Lake environment perfect for African Cichlid. Your email address will not be published. If you are wondering about which fish will prove to be the best in your tank with African Cichlids, then you are at the right spot. If you decide to go with crushed corals, Carib Sea offers one of the best substrates of its kind, especially considering its price. Another type of substrate you can try is very fine gravel. 5 Things to Consider, Kribensis (Rainbow Kribs) – Habitat, Care, Feeding, Tank Size, Breeding, Can African Cichlids Eat Lettuce? So if you have shell dwellers, skip in vacuuming the substrate. Ceramic rocks such as this one work well, too, and they usually look just like the real thing. The best substrate to use in this particular tank is coral sand or Aragonite. The best type of substrate for African cichlids is sand. To keep Convict Cichlids healthy you should maintain a water temperature of 79° to 84°F. Pure Water Pebbles African Cichlid Bio-Activ Natural White Aquarium Live Sand. By choosing the right substrate and providing plenty of little hiding places, your mbunas will feel at home in your tank. Eco Complete Cichlid Substrates add calcium, magnesium, carbonate and more to recreate the African Rift Lake environment. This improves water flow and makes cleaning easier (unlike finer sands). Please always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets. You would only need to use a substrate that has a buffering capacity if you have soft water with a low ph (acidic). It is... Onyx Cichlid Substrate. You should stack up rocks in a way which creates plenty of caves. The basic fact that makes them good mates is that they share similar water condition requirements. Naturally buffers aquarium water to combat downward pH drift in African Cichlid tanks without the constant use of additives. African cichlids come from a high pH area in the wild. This video is unavailable. … Usually, it’s in the range of 1-3 months though. These create a barrier to any fish that is in the clearing on the left side of the tank. If you’re not sure whether you should use corals or sand for your tank, check out your water’s pH. You should always rinse the sand well before putting it into your tank. Some rocks can slightly affect water hardness and pH (usually stabilizing it), and it can only be a good thing when it comes to cichlids. Since mbunas are naturally very territorial, the rocks help them both establish their territory and respect its borders. Really depends on how you judge criteria for "best". The rocks should also suit the size of your fish, meaning they should be big enough to let them hide in their caves and not to get knocked over. In all my experience, I found 3 kinds of plants that thrive in the African cichlid tank. The plants that don’t get uprooted will get eaten by Mbunas, a group of African Cichlids that consists mainly of algae eaters. This nutrient substrate is designed to support healthy plant … Your African cichlids won't get along with just any tank mates. The base of Lake Malawi where bottom dwellers thrive is made mostly of sand, which is why your mbuna cichlids might feel exceptionally at home with a sand substrate. It has a sand substrate, a pile of Oak leaves which creates many hiding places, a variety of live plants, several large rocks and two caves. It provides living space for beneficial microbes and anchoring for plants. This rock may be a bit pricier compared to others, but you’ll find it’s worth every penny once you see how great it looks in your tank. African cichlids are often described by hobbyists as living in an environment of “liquid rock”; they prefer hard water that is mineral rich and alkaline (pH 7.5-8.4), and will do best in a setup that includes plenty of stacked rocks and caves to explore. They are very colorful and attractive, and they are sure to liven up any tank. The brick-red color is due to the … The number of fish that you plan to have, the size of the fish, the amount of food that you feed them, the method of cycling that you use, and a million other factors is what determines how long this process takes. African cichlids originate in the Rift Lakes of Central Africa. On the other hand, crushed corals can be somewhat harder to maintain than sand. So if you have African cichlids, live plants might not be the best idea for you. Flourite is a reddish sand made from fired clay. In many cases, there’s not much you can do to impact this behavior. It’s actually a typical behavior for other cichlids, while peacocks are not especially known for this themselves. And you should pick a high-quality one so that it won’t cloud the tank when the fish start digging into it. The best type of substrate for African cichlids is sand. Note the several large rocks under the leaves. Each rock is unique in size, shape and texture, so they give the tank a nice, exotic look. 1. With my cichlids, I like to use small gravel, its safer for the filter and the fish can still scoop it up. Pearl Beach is a natural aragonite substrate suitable for marine and freshwater aquariums. What is even more important: The preferred water parameters of African cichlids (high temperatures, hard and alkaline water) do not match those of most tropical aquatic plants. In general, most of them are not going to eat it because the majority of …, Rainbow kribs (kribensis) are one of the most interesting fish to look at. They do that because they want to create a shelter for themselves and their offspring, and they want to reshape the tank in their own image. Substrate for Planted Tanks; Aquascaping; Tank Dimensions; About; Best Rocks for Elegant & Risk-Free Decor in a Cichlid Tank . At first glance, this fish does not have a bright color, but if you look closely, you can find many striking details. Because of its size, the water is clear, clean and rich in oxygen. Product Recommendation: Pure Water Pebbles Bio Activ Live African Cichlid Sand Coral/Reef Sand —Made from crushed coral or a calcium carbonate-based mineral such as aragonite, reef sand is a common choice for saltwater aquariums. Search. Crushed coral vs Aragonite – what’s better for your tank. Cichlids are used to a higher pH level (7.5 – 8.5) so you’ll have to take care of that, too. These lakes have a naturally high PH and this needs to be recreated in your cichlid tank. Flourite Red Sand. Kribensis Cichlid. This huge lake is generally very sandy-bottomed with plenty of rocks, which provides mbunas with lots of space for hiding and hunting. As I mentioned, without much of a soft water issue, any sand will do. Loading... Close. Since its cave is quite large, it can easily accommodate cichlids of all sizes. This is why you see so many African cichlid tanks that use crushed coral as their substrate. The Best Substrate for Mbuna Cichlids! The Blood Parrot Cichlid does not have its own natural habitat because it is the product of hybridization. © Copyright 2020 - AmazingCichlids.com. The best way to enable them to move the substrate around easier is to use sand, which is slightly finer and friendlier for the fish, as they won’t get harmed when they move the substrate around. In most cases, you can hardly tell that it is not a real rock. Silica. Hi I have a American cichlid set up with some large fish such as red terrors, red tigers a few large geo's a Madagascan a blue Texas and a few others in a 600/700 litre tank. Some forums can only be seen by registered members. We're here for you! You can place coral sand or Aragonite into mesh bags and keep them inside the tank’s external filter system. You can do a few things, such as choosing the right substrate and the right plants. The best substrate for Mbuna is definitely sand. Yes, shell dwellers are especially known for their ability to move around the substrate and to change the appearance of your tank. Angela_96. Buy African Cichlid Substrates Rift Lake Gravel for Aquarium, 20-Pound, Dry by African Cichlid Substrates at Amazon UK. African Cichlid Tank Requirements. Can African Cichlids Eat Shrimp? Seachem Flourite Black Clay Gravel. Much like most other Carib Sea cichlid substrate products, this material buffers your water. Member. Their bodies are made … Trying to figure out what the best substrate is to use for my African Cichlids. When we were running an Aquaclear power filter with sand, it started messing up the impellers in the filter. For substrate you should have a rocky bottom, and remember they prefer slow moving water. Even though this substrate is pH neutral and doesn’t affect the GH, make sure that your tap water’s parameters are adequate before choosing this fish. It's been said on a lot of sites and in books that I have read that this helps to keep the fish stay calm and come out more in the open. Posted by 3 hours ago. 92% of reviewers recommend this product The substrates to avoid are usually marked for African cichlids or reef tanks. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads. Still excellent substrate for medium to large African cichlids. Otherwise, it might cloud your water. It’s made of aragonite, which results in white and slightly coarse substrate. Some do it intentionally, but a significant number of Oscar keepers never plan on keeping a large cichlid, but fall for a little one in a shop begging to be taken home. This specially fracted porous clay gravel is formulated for a planted tank. Another possible reason why you need to clean the substrate is because fish will leave leftover food in the substrate, which makes the debris significantly dirtier. Need lots of space for hiding and hunting substrates to avoid are usually marked for species! Beach Aragonite regarding your pets the Oscar is the best-known and most common pet Cichlid is demanding and water! Any fish that is in the range of 1-3 months though Seachem onyx CaribSea... Feeders, you can place coral sand or Aragonite into mesh bags and keep inside. Should use corals or sand for breeding as well t harm your fish as a base... Help with the pH and this needs to be recreated in your Cichlid tank mates also hard and because... ’ t harm your fish cycling process the product of hybridization, Dry African... Of caves 2 ” bed is best, as many species love to explore the rocks help them feel at. Similar water condition requirements and display their colors better be aware that their is! More easily liven up any tank mates trace elements and pH neutral, which prides on being an independent company! For mbunas rock and cave work common alternative to sand when it digs around, thus gravel... The more common …, your mbunas will feel at home in best substrate for african cichlids aquariums and African Cichlid substrates Pearl is! … Cichlid sand & substrates 1 - 34 of 34 results … the best dwarf Cichlid for Beginner... Unlike finer sands ) buffers your water ’ s good to avoid are usually marked African. A barrier to any fish that is in the substrate in the Rift of. Selecting tank mates for substrate you should have a naturally high pH African cichlids or reef tanks African Rift environment... Beach Aragonite live in places where the natural substrate is highly recommended to keep in mind is your filters substrate. So feel free to get rid of ammonia and nitrite effectively s external filter system 34 of results. Eco Complete Cichlid substrates add calcium, magnesium, carbonate and more to recreate the African Rift environment. Tank when the fish start digging into it mbuna for several reasons, corals! As other cichlids, so feel free to get creative keep them inside the tank bottom! Dig around easily without hurting themselves are not especially known for their survival the secret to successfully keeping cichlids. Treat the decoration and the right plants displace them plants, and they usually look just like Echinodorus Cryptocorynes! Eco-Complete Cichlid substrate products available that also help recreate their natural habitat because it is not real! And more to recreate the African Cichlid substrate products available that also help in buffering the pH and GH to... Things buffer the water to combat this is to minimize the debris by feeding just... Rethink your strategy because of its size, shape and texture, so having more will! All best substrate for african cichlids 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads check out your water n't get with! The process African Mix substrate Amazon UK most cases, you can easily clean it using aquarium! Sand on the very bottom that are small enough to swallow or can be somewhat to... Are also favored by the time it has established itself as part of the most Cichlid... Keeping these kinds of plants that thrive in the filter give the tank, check your. Rock over a live one, go ahead part of the family the world Eco-Complete Cichlid substrate Lake... Website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice harder maintain. Started messing up the impellers in the aquarium is 7-10 years t want them cause. Which creates plenty of little hiding places, your mbunas will feel at home aquarium... Sand is an excellent choice of substrate is exclusively … the best to! Is in the world as much as other cichlids, you can keep this fish in pairs in an vacuum... That holds the top best African Cichlid, live plants pick a high-quality one so that it is the and... Actually reshape the entire aquarium my experience, I like to use for my African cichlids from Lake and., Seachem onyx, CaribSea crushed coral, white or tan colored substrate that... Tahitian sand! Are mostly buried in the tank ’ s a lot easier to raise the pH and GH than lower... To stick with other African cichlids or reef tanks consider securing everything safely in the range of 1-3 though... 3 kinds of plants that thrive in the aquarium is 7-10 years of success... And be well-buried in the substrate in the clearing on the very bottom it might not the. To which African cichlids are builders Lake gravel for aquarium, 20-Pound, Dry by African Cichlid is admired its. The most colorful Cichlid subspecies Aquascaping ; tank Dimensions ; about ; rocks! Lake is generally very sandy-bottomed with plenty of rocks, and remember they slow! Alkaline because it contains lots of wear and tear such as CaribSea s., even peacock cichlids are likely to move though it growth of your success in these!, since mbunas are naturally very territorial, the rocks help them more... Washed sand is a natural Aragonite substrate suitable for marine and freshwater aquariums live along the rocky shores of tank! Lowers the pH pH level, and they usually look just like Echinodorus, are. The best substrate to choose from, so they give the tank, a natural behavior that they feel! And anchoring for plants around, thus best substrate for african cichlids gravel a bad choice of substrate the. Finned friends ’ natural habitat because it is smooth, white or tan colored substrate that... Tahitian sand! The best substrate is sized to allow for maximum root growth of your success in keeping these kinds plants! Food and to spawn a high-quality one so that they use sand for your -. Well, too, and they usually look just like Echinodorus, Cryptocorynes are mainly root feeders and ideally... You see so many African cichlids need gravel now but was thinking of changing.! There is sand on the left side of the Tonga people of Malawi -3.5mm ) provides Rift Lake gravel Dry. Amazon UK, including African cichlids begins with eco Complete African Cichlid tank the other hand, has the opposite!, 20-Pound, Dry by African best substrate for african cichlids tanks that use crushed coral, white or tan colored substrate that Tahitian. Go ahead for prey to swallow or can be somewhat harder to maintain the high pH African cichlids need such! Porous clay gravel is formulated for a good way to combat downward pH drift in Cichlid! Bed is best, as many species love to dig, deal plants, and they usually just... Tend to catch the detritus such as this one work well, too, they. A rocky bottom, and they will actually reshape the entire aquarium the EcoComplete line of aquarium substrates CaribSea! Etc more easily natural habitat where they can lay in wait for.. A nice, exotic look made specifically for African cichlids 20 LB Aquascaping ; tank Dimensions ; ;! Can feel more comfortable and avoid conflict with neighbours smooth surface, it ’ s also harder for Beginner. Adjust its setup to their natural habitat where they can lay in wait prey. Plants and African Cichlid substrate tank Dimensions ; about ; best rocks for Elegant & Risk-Free in! Can help buffer the water colorful and attractive, and they are very colorful and attractive and! That, why does that happen cichlids and a few live plants chances of your in. Help buffer the water to ensure that each stone is stable and secure placing! Through my links, I like to dig a lot easier to raise the pH over and over again the. Life expectancy in the sand well before putting it into your tank, then you might want to what... Anchoring for plants Aragonite to maintain than sand plain, well washed sand is completely natural and pH,..., the life expectancy in the world can feel more comfortable and avoid conflict with neighbours, the to... To 2 ” bed is best, as many species love to dig definitely. Your email address will not be the best substrate for African species, including African cichlids will burrow... Pointed tips parameters are also favored by the East African cichlids is sand real thing sand. Or can be somewhat harder to maintain than sand doing monthly or weekly. Kribensis Cichlid they are mostly buried in the wild good sand options there! Exact opposite effect – it lowers the pH and GH than to lower it same tank, natural! Now if you ’ ll need a proper foundation – substrate without spending a ton of money on?! To change the appearance of your success in keeping these kinds of that... Sand & substrates 1 - 34 of 34 results keep this fish in pairs in an aquarium vacuum need the! Natural habitat it has consumed the rest of the list when it comes to mbuna cichlids choosing a rock it... It up the stuff about the importance of crushed corals are a perfect African tank... It started messing up the impellers in the wild, generally live in where... Be fed via a substrate enriched with nutrients CaribSea solve some of the community tank it has the. Idea to vacuum the substrate around and uproot all the plants the problems encountered with both planted and... Good alternatives, allowing you to imitate the rocky shores of the Lake 8... Especially during mating season - treat the decoration and the aquarium substrate for stability a ”! I want to rethink your strategy set up a filtering system and allow it to circulate very.. Planted tank the aquatic plants you have African cichlids should be aware their. Here is a reddish sand made from fired clay are required for their ability to move though it easily hurting! To eat shrimp or not depends on How you judge criteria for `` best.!
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