Substrate?

[CharlieTuna]

I'm trying to figure out if I should go with sand or crushed coral as a substrate for my Mbuna and a few Haps tank. Everybody seems to use sand these days, what about crushed coral? Seems like it would help buffer the water in the PH range that our fish like and the white color is appealing (to me).

 

[mike dunagan]

Depends on how sharp it is. Most of the fish above will sift or dig in the sand or gravel.

 

[CharlieTuna]

Depends on how sharp it is. Most of the fish above will sift or dig in the sand or gravel.

Not debating, just trying to learn --- crushed coral is too sharp?

 

[mike dunagan]

It can be. It depends on the cichlid and its natural behavior. If it is a shifting cichlid it can be too sharp for the fish. Also if your cichlids like to rub on the substrate it can also be too sharp. These are the reasons that I stay away from it.

 

[CharlieTuna]

It can be. It depends on the cichlid and its natural behavior. If it is a shifting cichlid it can be too sharp for the fish. Also if your cichlids like to rub on the substrate it can also be too sharp. These are the reasons that I stay away from it.

Makes sense - thank you for the advice.

 

[bigriver]

As I found out argonite is a really good buffer I put 60 lbs of that in and then bought 20 lbs of the black and white african cichlid sand to put on top of it ph is 8.0.The people at the fish store said the same thing about the crushed coral as mike was saying..also lava rocks too.

 

[bbboys]

I like to mix crushed coral with monteray bay beach sand, about 3 parts sand to 1 part coral

 

[i_tend_to_trend]

get the
"cichlid mix" of crushed coral

 

[vandalzzz]

i've used natural sea sand from seashore near my home for my 2nd aquarium (non-mbuna), and it was with very small shell parts, that's why i have pH=8.0 in it compared to 7.5 in 'simple LFS gravel' mbuna tank. so if shaping suitable for your fishes - use it