Can I put small cichlids with big cichlids?

How much sand per gallon for African cichlids?

Generally speaking, you will need to use 2lbs of sand per gallon of water in the aquarium. This will allow for complete and full coverage of the tank floor while also giving you a depth of up to 2 inches. What Is The Best Substrate For African Cichlids?

What type of sand substrate should I use for my Aquarium?

However, you will also have noticed that there are lots of different types of sand substrate available and this can make things even more confusing, especially for new fish keepers. While most sands will work well, we would recommend using an aragonite sand which is a type of crystallized calcium carbonate.

What is the best sand for African cichlids?

Made especially for the African cichlid, this aragonite sand is the perfect base layer for your fish’s home. It comes in a light color providing your aquarium with a natural yet bright appearance and is perfect to use as a buffer.

Do African cichlids need buffering?

Your water supply is unlikely to provide your African cichlids with the correct chemistry as where they come from has such extreme conditions. While there are lots of things you can do to ensure that the water conditions remain spot-on for your fish, your substrate can be used for what is known as buffering.

Can I use crushed coral as a substrate for a tropical fish tank?

Crushed coral / live reef aragonite substrate is almost never found in a tropical fish tank set-up. Most species of tropical fish require lower levers of pH in their water and crushed coral substrates will raise pH levels and harden the water.

What do you need to know about African cichlids?

What’s more, the African cichlid is an energetic fish that will provide aquarists with hours of viewing pleasure. When setting up a suitable home for your African cichlids, there are several things to think about. One of the most important is the type of substrate you will use.

What is the best substrate for aquarium fish?

Certain substrate types such as the sand ones are ideal for fish that like to burrow. Some bottom-dwelling fish tend to sift the substrate to collect the food particles that have fallen there. As opposed to glass bottoms, substrates can make fish feel safer as it doesn’t reflect lights or images of other fish in the aquarium.

How much crushed coral do I use to raise pH?

Crushed coral is a great tool for raising your pH. We personally use it at 1 pound of crushed coral per 10 gallons of water when mixed in with our gravel. Crushed coral dissolves over time continually. The lower your pH is, the faster it dissolves.

What is crushed coral used for?

Crushed coral is a great tool for raising your pH. We personally use it at 1 pound of crushed coral per 10 gallons of water when mixed in with our gravel. Crushed coral dissolves over time continually. The lower your pH is, the faster it dissolves. Also, what is crushed coral made of? Some substrates are used to alter water chemistry.

Can bacteria grow in a tank with no substrate?

While it is true that bacteria can grow in a tank with no substrate, the quantity is really low to make any significant difference in reducing waste. Now, when you use a substrate like gravel, you are essentially giving microorganisms a place to cling on to and grow.

Why is my fish flicking its head?

Flicking can be part of the breeding/mating ritual. Mine sometimes do it when I’ve just done a cold water change. Consistant scraping could be sign of ich maybe? Can you see anything on the fish like little white specks? Also to be on safe side take your water stats. My fronts rub on the sand in an unusual way.

Are African cichlids easy to maintain?

African Cichlid is one of the famous tropical fish. They are found in diverse colors and patterns. They will make your aquarium look alive with their colorful appearances. However, these beautiful fishes are not easy to maintain. They are bigger and more aggressive than other fishes like Guppy, Tetra, and Gourami.

How long does it take for crushed coral to affect pH?

Either way, you will have to wait for a few hours to notice any changes in the pH level because the effect of crushed coral on the aquarium’s pH is quite slow. Since most tropical fish do not require a pH buffer, crushed coral is not needed for regular tropical aquariums.

What kind of sand do fish like in aquariums?

There are many types of sand that can be used – everything from play sand to black Tahitian Moon sand. The lightly colored sand really sparkles in an aquarium and sand in general gives a very smooth look to your aquarium. Fish with delicate barbells (such as corydoras catfish) also prefer sand over gravel.

Does crushed coral raise pH?

Yep, using crushed coral to raise pH, and thus KH, and how fast it works depends on where it is located. The coral relies on a chemical reaction where the acids in the tank break down the coral. When in the filter it sees a lot of water movement…when in the substrate it is more or less to maintain pH and KH as it see little water movement.

What is the pH of a coral tank?

And if your pH is close to 7.8 or so, you can fill the tank with coral and see almost no changes at all. Now the next set of figures should involve stability of the parameters in connection with water changes.

How does the filter affect the Coral?

The coral relies on a chemical reaction where the acids in the tank break down the coral. When in the filter it sees a lot of water movement…when in the substrate it is more or less to maintain pH and KH as it see little water movement.

How to increase Kh levels with crushed coral?

I thought I’d report back how my experience with using crushed coral to increase my KH levels worked out. I added 2 TEAspoons to the 10 gal and 2 TABLEspoons to the 55 gal. I just put the crushed coral down into the toe end of a pair of kneehighs and dropped it down into the filter.

What are the benefits of bacteria in aquariums?

Good aquarium bacteria keep ammonia levels in the water at a low and manageable level. This in turn protects your fish against illnesses related to water conditions, which is the leading cause of death among fish kept in captivity. As crucial as good bacteria may be, there are also harmful bacteria that you should steer clear of.

How to increase pH in aquarium with crushed coral?

If you wish to increase the pH level further, all you need to do is either add crushed coral to your filter or simply drop a handful of it on the tank base. Either way, you will have to wait for a few hours to notice any changes in the pH level because the effect of crushed coral on the aquarium’s pH is quite slow.