Amount of substrate.

[Spoor3773]

Hi, I ve got a group of cichlids in a 125 litre tank. I ve got about 6 cm of substrate across the tank. Is that too much. I ve been told bacteria could grow at the bottom. Is this true.

 

[Mogurako]

Doesn't sound to deep, what type of cichlids do you have?

 

[Spoor3773]

Doesn't sound to deep, what type of cichlids do you have?

I ve got Malawi cichlids.

 

[Mogurako]

What species? That tank is pretty small for african cichlids I hope you are planning on upgrading soon.

 

[jcolon]

You want Beneficial Bacteria to grow in your substrate. If it's a sandy substrate, what can happen is sand at the bottom creates pore spaces that become oxygen poor which can lead to anoxic conditions ... not good.

However if you have a more gravel substrate ... 6cm (about 2 1/2 - 3 inches) should be fine to allow water flow promoting BB.

 

[Spoor3773]

You want Beneficial Bacteria to grow in your substrate. If it's a sandy substrate, what can happen is sand at the bottom creates pore spaces that become oxygen poor which can lead to anoxic conditions ... not good.

However if you have a more gravel substrate ... 6cm (about 2 1/2 - 3 inches) should be fine to allow water flow promoting BB.

I ve got coral sand. What would you recommend.

 

[Spoor3773]

What species? That tank is pretty small for african cichlids I hope you are planning on upgrading soon.

I ve got aulonocara s. Will upgrade eventually… finance permitting.

 

[Mogurako]

I ve got aulonocara s. Will upgrade eventually… finance permitting.

Very good would like to see pictures when you do!

If it's a sandy substrate, what can happen is sand at the bottom creates pore spaces that become oxygen poor which can lead to anoxic conditions.

Anoxic gases in sand has been talked about allot on this forum and many of the members have confirmed that the chances of that happening in a home aquarium are very slim. I believe MR. Limpet did a ton of research and only found one case of this happening. So really there's only a .0000001% chance that could even happen.

 

[Spoor3773]

Very good would like to see pictures when you do!

Anoxic gases in sand has been talked about allot on this forum and many of the members have confirmed that the chances of that happening in a home aquarium are very slim. I believe MR. Limpet did a ton of research and only found one case of this happening. So really there's only a .0000001% chance that could even happen.

So I should nt worry then is that what your saying.

 

[Mogurako]

So I should nt worry then is that what your saying.

Correct you're in good shape as far as substrate is concerned just try to give the fish a bigger home when you can.