riftlaker

hi, i'm setting up a Malawi cichlid tank and i don't know what sand to use. the "marine sand" as LFS is pretty expensive, are there any alternatives?

CHoffman

Yup there are. Thank goodness. Because your right the LFS sand is expensive. Get some pool filter sand from a pool supply store. It's cheap and perfect for a Malawi tank. It's made of silica so it's nice and round and won't cut them if when they dig around in it. Mine cost $13.00 for a 50lb bag and it was a more expensive kind.

Angela_96

crushed coral or agronite is great for buffering the tank, you can also use pool filter sand

rt12

Caribisea argonite is perfect not to expensive either. Keeps the pH right where it needs to be. I would still buy a lake malawi buffer to use during big water changes though.

CHoffman

I always forget about needing a higher PH because I never had to buffer mine..lol..8.2 right out of the tap..

Angela_96

This summer has been one for me that I am thankful for the limestone and the crushed sand/coral... my tap water went from 7.8 to 7.2...

CHoffman

crazy...I wish mine would do that..
That's good for your other tank though. Weren't you having to lower it with Peat moss and driftwood?