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I will be starting to cycle my 55 gallon tank next week. I plan to use play sand for substrate. What do you recommend for a ph level and temperature for Mbuna cichlids. I will coming down after it cycles to purchase the fish. I lik saulosi, blue cobalt zebra, hongi to name a few. Joe

i dont know, but i just wanted to ask something. is play sand ok in tropical tanks? i dont want to spend about $50 on silica sand specially made for tropical tanks, when you can buy the same amount of playsand for about $5. does it affect pH, gH, or kH?

we sell silica sand
called natural gravel
in grade zero (a little bigger than play sand)
up to grade 7 (about a 1 inch rock)

The most popular grades are 2,3, & 4.

They all sell for $15 per 50 pound bag.
They all need to be washed, 'coz they run dusty.
(I usually use Acurel F, or other clarifiers)

Play sand is also safe to use, it's the same as my stuff but smaller,
it probably is dusty also.

None of the natural silica sands will affect pH or KH.
Calcium based sands such as
aragonite, crushed coral, and dolomite
will raise pH and KH.

The most typically used aquarium gravel is color coated silica.
They are safe to use and won't affect pH or KH.
We sell these for $4 for a 5 pound bag or
$18 for a 25 pound bag.
Most tanks use about a pound a gallon, but it depends on the application.

play sand in an African Cichlid Tank

this will probably look real cool

2 things to watch out for

the play sand will not buffer the pH, so I'd suggest using
a small dose of cichlid buffer
you want your pH to be above 7.5 but below 9

the other thing is that the cichlids could kick up the fine sand,
and the sand could get _ into the filter impellar
creating a grinding problem
and shortening the lifespan of the filter

temperature for Mbuna cichlids

the natural temperature in Lake Malawi is about 78 dgrees F
top to bottom
year round

when cichlids are young I like to keep them at 78
but after about 10 months of age
I often turn the temperature down to 73 degrees F
they tend to fight less when it's cooler

Ned,

Previously you mentioned:

"Calcium based sands such as aragonite, crushed coral, and dolomite will raise pH and KH."

Is there such a thing as dolomite in a sand form?

For the various shell dwelling africans, would you recommend one form of sand over another? Is the sand necessary? I've currently got Lamprologus similis with plain old dolomite (and shells).

Thanks.

No, the only dolomite I can get is Estes Dolomite,
which is Ohio Limestone.
It's sort of a rough crystal shape
the chunks are 1/8 to 1/4 inch each,
the color is very light gray, almost white.

Aragamax select is probably the finest buffering sand.
The pieces are probably 1/32 - 1/16 inch each.
It's whiter than dolomite but still not snow white.

Alot of our customers have been requesting
Eco Complete cichlid sand, which looks like salt & pepper.

We usually have all 3 in stock, but you may want to call ahead.

I like the fact that with dolomite, I don't worry about the pH. It stays 7.6 to 8.0.

Sounds like with the Aragamax I'd never have to worry about pH - in fact if you believe the CaribSea FAQs, it'll be 8.4-9.0.
(Is it possible to be too high for the Neolamprologus similis?!)

Does the Eco Complete sand provide sufficient buffering so that I would be pH worry-free using it?

In either case, do you think it is possible (or wise) to run an undergravel filter with sand?

I understand there is the issue of the sand clogging the filter plate and likely getting into the power heads.

Currently I have a layer of dolomite on top of the filter plate, then a drop ceiling "egg crate" grid with more dolomite on top.

So... I was thinking about:

1. Removing the dolomite down to the egg crate
2. Putting a sheet of landscape fabric on top of the egg crate
3. Putting the sand on top of the fabric
4. Running the undergravel filter in reverse mode

How dumb would that be?

Thanks.

reverse flow undergravel filtration will work fine to remove ammonia...
this form of filtration is not very popular... there may be a reason that it is not popular...I've never tried it personally...
If your going to try it, I suggest prefiltering with a foam block
so that
1) small fish don't get _ into the pump &
2) food & solid waste don't get _ under the plate