American cichlid substrate

[RealCrix220]

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. I want to know what people think from there experiences is the best substrate to use for these large American cichlids. I started using a fine black gravel and friends convinced me that coral sand would bring out more colour in my fish.
I think it's raising the ph a bit much as my water is going a greenie brown too quick for my liking. I'm now looking into new substrate and new rock. At the moment I'm using larva rock but I'm looking into a less obsorbant type of rock now.

Any ideas welcome as I really want to get my tank looking natural as I can for the stock.
Thanks

 

[Stanzzzz7]

I use sand and round water worn boulders.I think sand with a little natural colour gravel mixed in looks the most natural.



To create a more natural look,let algea cover the decor for a more mature lived in look.

 

[RealCrix220]

Hi thanks for the photos they are great.
I get brown fur type stuff growing on my larva rock and I thought this was adding to the brownish tinge I'm getting so I've tried not to let this happen.
I was going to aim for the rounder rocks and I quite like the fine sand in photo 1.
Thanks

 

[duanes]

The rising of pH will not be bad for most of your fish, the Central American like the carpintus, RTM, and even the Madagascan and festae (or uropthalmus (each is considered red terror)) come from high pH waters.
I use pool filter sand (chemically inert) on all tanks, often mixed with coral sand (helps buffer alkalinity) and because of its density doesn't waft up into filters ruining impellers, it also allows detritus's to stay on its surface (easy to vac off).
I don't like gravel because it allows detritus to work into the interstitial spaces, where it rots, producing nitrate, and hydrogen sulfide unless aggressively vacuumed out.

 

[RealCrix220]

Thanks duanes
I'm going to look into the sand mix you mentioned. My red terror is a festae.
Thanks for the info

 

[Vukmir13]

I use sand and round water worn boulders.I think sand with a little natural colour gravel mixed in looks the most natural.

View attachment 1228264

To create a more natural look,let algea cover the decor for a more mature lived in look.

View attachment 1228265

Those are gorgeous! What exactly are they?

 

[RealCrix220]

I was thinking the same. They are very good looking fish

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Those are gorgeous! What exactly are they?

Thanks,they are thorichthys helleri.