I am planning a 120G cichlid tank with a birchir, and I was wondering if you guys recommend putting in substrate? I can see the substrate being using for supporting some drift wood and rocks(I dont like the idea of placing big rocks directly on the glass). Any thoughts?
substrate in cichlid tank
- Thread starter yemista7
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Yes I agree but I was wondering about cleaning and maintenance. I am also planning to use plant filtration along with a canister filter. Saw some ideas on this site(pothos plants)
I prefer a coarse sand for cichlids. Many species enjoy burrowing in it and piling it up.
I believe sand is best for polys as well. I've heard they will sometimes swallow larger gravel or pebbles which can hurt them.
I believe sand is best for polys as well. I've heard they will sometimes swallow larger gravel or pebbles which can hurt them.
I use commercial grit sand in my 100g shelly and my 220g SD. I have Lapis Lustre in my 55g planted and one other Cemex sand in my 29g planted and my 90g is a mix of sizes. I have added Malaysian trumpet snails to most of my tanks. I vacuum all tanks except my planted with only get water changes. I will hover vac debris laying on top of the substrate though.
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Sand or other substrate also offers a host of interstitial spaces for beneficial bacteria to colonize.
Just in case your power is lost, or if your filters are external and krapp out (canisters, HOBs, sumps, etc etc) the bacteria living in the substrate may offer a modicum of insurance in the tank at consuming ammonia and nitrite, when those filters are not filtering.
I prefer pool filter sand because its heavy enough, that when vacuumed is not easily sucked up during water changes, but also because of smaller spaces between grains (than say gravel), it does not as easily allow detritus to work its way in, making detritus easy to vacuum out, because its sitting on top of the sand.
I also like its more natural look.
I took the under water photos below in a tributary of the Rio Magdalena in Colombia, and could arguably say it has a somewhat similar appearance.
Just in case your power is lost, or if your filters are external and krapp out (canisters, HOBs, sumps, etc etc) the bacteria living in the substrate may offer a modicum of insurance in the tank at consuming ammonia and nitrite, when those filters are not filtering.
I prefer pool filter sand because its heavy enough, that when vacuumed is not easily sucked up during water changes, but also because of smaller spaces between grains (than say gravel), it does not as easily allow detritus to work its way in, making detritus easy to vacuum out, because its sitting on top of the sand.
I also like its more natural look.
I took the under water photos below in a tributary of the Rio Magdalena in Colombia, and could arguably say it has a somewhat similar appearance.
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