african cichlid substrate

[DillonMcCain]

Washed mine a little and there was little to no cloudiness. The grains are so big, water changes don't cloud the water at all.

 

[Tyler2354]

I like the sound of that. Feel free to post a few more pics of your tank if u don't mind. How are your water parameters too while using pfs?

 

[SonicsDC25]

PFS doesn't affect water parameters, aside from giving off silicates that will temporarily promote diatoms. As mentioned, very natural looking and is my favorite type of substrate.

 

[Drew vest6]

I like the sound of that. Feel free to post a few more pics of your tank if u don't mind. How are your water parameters too while using pfs?

After washing for 15-20 minute, it doesn't almost doesn't cloud at all

 

[fishyfriends3]

How is the cloudy-ness of the Eco-complete sand? During the set up and during cleanings?

I didn't have any cloudiness after 24 hours, it comes with a little bag of water clarification which really works.

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[Tyler2354]

Would about 70lbs of lace rock or south seas base rock keep the ph up enough with the pfs in a 75 gallon tank? How many pounds of pfs should I expect to use in a 75?

 

[DillonMcCain]

75 lbs if sand

 

[fishyfriends3]

75 lbs if sand

Yes a pound per gallon.

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[Tyler2354]

How about the base rock for ph?

 

[fishyfriends3]

Limestone is good for raising ph.

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[Maridia]

I too am in the process of setting up a cichlid tank. Will Aragonite sand also be a good substrate? I happen to have an excess. I don't want it ruining my canister filter if it's too light.

 

[fishyfriends3]

Yes aragonite will help raise ph, if you're in the process of setting up for cichlids that require a high ph it will help.

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[DillonMcCain]

I use a cichlid buffer that I got at my LFS

 

[Tyler2354]

It looked pretty fine to me. I've never used it so idk the +and- of aragonite

 

[DillonMcCain]

Aragonite looks about like PFS but is a natural buffer, and is way more expensive. That is about the only difference.

 

[Wy Renegade]

I prefer the aragonite, due to it being a natural buffer. However, I have to say that I don't know that sand is going to be your best option if you are only planning on monthly maintenance. Even with only feeding every other day, you are likely to have a lot of debris floating around on top of that sand after 4 weeks of no maintenance.

 

[Tyler2354]

Would u recommend black aquarium gravel? Or stick with the sand and increase te maintenance on the tank?

 

[Maridia]

I prefer the aragonite, due to it being a natural buffer. However, I have to say that I don't know that sand is going to be your best option if you are only planning on monthly maintenance. Even with only feeding every other day, you are likely to have a lot of debris floating around on top of that sand after 4 weeks of no maintenance.

I'm setting up a 55g with the aragonite. For filtration I would use:
306 fluval canister filter
Aquaclear 70 hob
2X ati hydro iv sponge filters

I would probably do weekly 50% WC.

 

[Tyler2354]

This tank will be a 75 with some type of canister filter and power heads. It's going to be set up in a place of business so I'm not going to charge them every week to clean the tank. And it's not going to be pack full of fish so I figured I would be ok

 

[Wy Renegade]

If you stick with sand, you will likely need to increase maintenance to at least biweekly. I also don't really recommend black gravel unless you are doing weekly water changes. Otherwise, it really isn't going to stay black.