Cichlid/sand/eco-comp?

Lady G

Lady G

It's a mafia thing, nothing personl
Oct 6, 2005
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gingersassatelli.bodybyvi.com
I hate posting so many different threads..but since we are suppose to start new ones with each question now, instead of just adding it to an already made thread, I had to...Anyway when I had my cichlids in thier 30 (Before the seal busted), I had eco-complete cichlid sand to try and help keep the pH higher, but once I moved them to the 55 which has playsand in it, they seem to "dig", "spit", or "move" what ever you want to call it the sand much more..they have made little dips under all the rocks and driftwood and it is so much fun watching them, but I have eco-complete (regular) under the sand for my plants so all the digging has caused the eco to be all over the tank and now the sand looks dirty, my question (after all this rambeling :rolleyes: ) is when I set this 55 up for just them instead of playsand would just eco-complete be good or would they stop digging as much I really enjoy watching them suck it up and spit it out so I don't want them to stop..or would you suggest that I use that black sand on top of the eco?? It's just sooooo expensive!!! If I actually mix the sand (play) with eco would they still dig? The only reason I will use the eco is for plants which wont be much they have tore up almost all the plants I had in there...so plants will most likely be java fern, moss, and anachris (which is the only plant in the tank they have left alone) :huh:

Thanks, and sorry again for so many posts!
 
java fernand java moss gets their ferts from the water not the sand. i think anachris does to but i could be wrong. i would go with all sand and put a root tap under the anachris and maybe eco-complete just where that plant is. if they look like they are having fun and you like watching them i wouldnt switch back. many people have sand planted tanks.
 
Ok that's what I was hoping to hear...didn't think about the fert. tab things...now I just can't wait to get the stand built for the 75 so I can get it set up and reset up this one...then on to a fig8 tank from there WOO-WHOOO I love planing out tanks!!! Just wish some stuff was a little cheaper...thank goodness for the "classifieds", ebay and aquabid!! ;)

:Angel:Gin:Angel:
 
yes, anachris is a water column feeder. it can grow floating, so it doesn't need to be stuck in the substrate at all! it will grow roots, though, if given the chance, but it doesn't need to. so with the three plant species you have, you could do away with the plant substrate completely. do whatever you like best and whatever makes your fish more enjoyable to watch.

i used to have a blue damsel that would carry crushed coral in his mouth, too, and it was very fun to observe :D I love fishies...
 
I do too, it's so much fun having them and setting up their "homes" I wish I could just knock out a few walls and build fishtanks instead!! If it were my choice (and I could actually do it) all my walls in my living room would be tanks...OMG could you imagine the cost of filtration, substrate, and everything else uhhhhh maybe I changed my mind :D But it would be cool!! One wall FW, one wall BW, a wall for Marine, then well the forth wall well cichlids of course!!!!!!!!!!! :shark:
 
I hear that, Gin. I still dream of a fish room where the walls are completely made of fish tanks. The room would be totally dark, probably underground, with light only coming from the aquariums.

I take better care of my fish than I do of myself!
 
Yeah, the hubby is always telling me "wish I had gills and fins" :laugh: :laugh:
 
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
 
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