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I use those Hikari sinking wafers. I like them because they are small. Unless you have large cichlids then they will probably get eaten before they hit the substrate.
You could try and distract the cichlids by feeding them to one end of the tank then drop the wafers on the other end. I have done that before with success.
Feeding some in the dark helps for nocturnal feeders. It will usually make it to the bottom anyway and be found soon. I wouldn't recommend over doing that strategy.