African Cichlid Substrate ?

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T

Tank Predator

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 11, 2006
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delaware
LIGHT OR DARK ? WHAT IS BEST USED FOR COLOR ON THE FISH

I MEAN IT IS MY CHOICE TO USE WHAT EVER BUT EVERY PIC I SEE OF TANKS THEY ARE ALL LIGHT OR WHITE SAND I NEVER SEE ANY DARK
 
Depends on what you like. Personally, I think white sand (silica) combined with a black background has the best effect. If you do black sand, its too dark and the fish kind of blend in. The while sand brightens up the fish, bringing out their colour, and the black background really makes them stand out.
 
SinisterKisses said:
Depends on what you like. Personally, I think white sand (silica) combined with a black background has the best effect. If you do black sand, its too dark and the fish kind of blend in. The while sand brightens up the fish, bringing out their colour, and the black background really makes them stand out.
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I agree, light sand it better for africans. You can go with a darker like beige color but I wouldn't do black, it doesn't really look all that good. The only fish that look pretty good on it are fronts.
 
i know i've used black sand for blue crayfish and it looked great... but i just use (grey) playsand for my fronts... looks very natural. i pick it up from the hardware store. needed to use some "Clear" to get the water cleaned up initially but now it looks amazing!

this is an old pic... but you get the idea!

135gallon.jpg
 
SinisterKisses said:
Depends on what you like. Personally, I think white sand (silica) combined with a black background has the best effect. If you do black sand, its too dark and the fish kind of blend in. The while sand brightens up the fish, bringing out their colour, and the black background really makes them stand out.
Click to expand...


k i think i like that idea sounds great now looking for the the right sand i see all types what suggestions do you have for what type

like is there a type that help raise the ph or mantian it like the (Aragonite Sand) ?



an does it matter what type of paint i use to paint the back of the tank ?
 
Tank Predator said:
k i think i like that idea sounds great now looking for the the right sand i see all types what suggestions do you have for what type

like is there a type that help raise the ph or mantian it like the (Aragonite Sand) ?



an does it matter what type of paint i use to paint the back of the tank ?
Click to expand...
The aragonite/crushed coral is what I use in most of my tanks. It helps raise/keep pH up and increases hardness (buffering capacity). I've got some drilled tanks that I put sand in the top tank and use the crushed coral in the bottom tank. The "buffered" water is then pumped up into the top tank. I would advise against dolomite since it doesn't do the job. Tahitian moon sand does not buffer or affect pH.
 
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