Starting a new 55 gallon cichlid tank!

[lobster4]

I'm picking up the tank tomorrow, and going to sart a cichlid tank. For starters I heard that you can buy your sand from Home Depot for $5 for 50 pounds. Do I need the sand without sillica? For the fish, I want to get the lake malawi cichlids. Maybe like two yellow labs. Which fish would go best with those, and how many will fit?

 

[RisiganL.]

You can buy play sand, but the quality is HIGHLY variable from place to place. It is often very dusty (makes your aquarium cloudy) and it also compacts, which can grow anaerobic bacteria. A much better option is pool filter sand if you can find it. African cichlids also like water with a high pH, so the sands made by Caribsea are perfect, but they are pricier. As for the fish, I can't help you much. Some of the cichlid experts should post here soon.

 

[jpappy789]

I'm a fan of PFS here...silica sand is recommended because it's inert and therefore shouldn't be screwing with the water chemistry.

 

[user_name]

pool filter sand is much better IMO, I've used it on my 37, 55, and 125 and think it looks awesome. Plus it's 5 bucks a bag, you can find it at your local pool supply store.

 

[Ecthalion]

Play sand won't compact very well with mbuna stirring it around. Yellow labs are compatible with a variety of more peaceful mbuna; Pseudotropheus socolofi, Idotropheus sp. 'rusty', Cynotilapia afra, and Pseudotropheus acei should work, to name a few.