Should I use sand or gravel with African Cichlids?

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underthesea420

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Oct 5, 2008
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Wilmington, NC
Should I use sand or gravel with african cichlids?

I want it to be like their natural environment? I got some plants picked out, some driftwood, and rocks, I just need to know what substrate is best to use with African cichlids!

Is their a specific kind that is made for cichlids?

What color do you recommend?
 

YoFishboy

I'll sleep when I'm dead...
Feb 16, 2005
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I use sand and gravel in my african tanks...but primarily sand..I use sand blasting sand because its clean already to meet OSHA standards. You really don't want drift wood, because the water should be at a ph of 8 or higher.
 

DarkCrow

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Jun 23, 2007
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Denver, CO
They do actually make cichlid sand, but I don't know much about it.
 

KarlTh

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Feb 15, 2008
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I use sand and gravel in my african tanks...but primarily sand..I use sand blasting sand because its clean already to meet OSHA standards. You really don't want drift wood, because the water should be at a ph of 8 or higher.
It's only a problem if the leaching of acids is so great as to deplete the GH and KH of the water. pH isn't that important but GH and KH are.
 

Weezer

Plastic Plant's Live Longer
Mar 2, 2007
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"Minnesota - It Gets Chilly Here"
Your Cichlids would prefer sand..........:)
 
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