For Africans, sinking pellets are best IMO. I do used flakes, but in a 3:1 or 4:1 rotation.
Here is my African mix:
Pellets: New Line Spectrum Thera A, Hikari Cichlid Excel, and Omega One Super Color (all sinking)
Flakes: Omega One Super Color and Ocean Nutrition Veggie
You can get 5lb buckets of NLS from MFK's Pharaoh....look him up.