Wrong substrate???

Yesterday I was in the LFS and asked my guru about substrate for a new tank I am setting up. It is a 29 gallon tank (got it and all supplies plus extras for $30) and I want to make this an African cichlid tank. I was advised against the finest sand as the cichlids apparently like to dig it up and then it is more likely to get in the filter. I picked up 2 bags of CaribSea Arag-Alive Hawaiian black Aquarium gravel. Got it home and alas read the back of the bag better and see that this is for MARINE use. ARRGHHHH. The store is 90 miles away so not an easy exchange. I sent the store a screenshot of the product (off google search) to confirm we were chatting about the same product and they assured me that this product would be OK for a cichlid tank as you need the higher pH anyhow. I'm still skeptical as it is a $60 investment,

I live in rural ND with very little options and was willing to spend the money for a good quality product that I don't have to spend hours rinsing and preparing to use.

Anyone have an opinion???
Melanie

 

If its dry and not live (never used live wet sand so not sure) then just rinse it well and use it I have aragonite in my breeder tank. If its wet I'm not sure if you can or not. I can only imagine rinsing it well would make it okay but I'm not sure. Maybe post a pic so we know exactly what this is.

 

Its wet.

If its dry and not live (never used live wet sand so not sure) then just rinse it well and use it I have aragonite in my breeder tank. If its wet I'm not sure if you can or not. I can only imagine rinsing it well would make it okay but I'm not sure. Maybe post a pic so we know exactly what this is.

 

If your talking about African cichlids the gravel you have will work great. Just make sure you rinse it out really good before you use it.
Good luck, Harry

 

Its normally used for saltwater so its packed in salt water. That's why it says for marine use. Rinse it well.

 

Rinsed bag of sand added to tank with rocks. How long before I should turn the filter on? 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours? This product is suppose to be ready to use with no rinsing (for marine use) so I am hoping it will settle quickly.

 

Turn the filter on now.

 

If your worried about sediment in filter, cover your intake with a sponge, filter matte, etc... thatll help with the sediment in filter, I run mine right after my tanks are full. I normally polish the water with a powerhead and a bottle stuffed with filter floss to decrease amount of time it takes to decloud.

 

I put floss in the intake and also have some in the filter boxes as well.

 

Another way to help polish water is something called a Quick Filter by Hagen. Put it on your power head, they're a good backup filter.

 

Another way to help polish water is something called a Quick Filter by Hagen. Put it on your power head, they're a good backup filter.

Ill have to look that one up as I am 90+ miles from any aquarium/pet store and have never heard of that one. I am currently running a 15H, 20H, 6.5 semI hex and a 72 bow and now this 29. This tank is view-able from both sides so no background. My artificial plant is askew since it is currently weighing down my wood in hopes it will sink without me having to alter it. I took an old filter from another tank to jump start as well as decorations last week when I filled it. I will try to attach photos from yesterday and today. One was a 6 hour wait and one is 24 hours.






Melanie

 

boil the wood, that should sink it. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 hours to sink!

 

I soaked it for 2 days (too large to boil) but put boiling water over it in my sink. Wanted to see how bad it would leach. No luck in tank after 24hours plus though. Might have to tie rocks on it !

 

Just soaking it will work it has to become waterlogged. It could take up to 6 weeks.

 

I gave up on the log as its grapevine. I'll let it dry out and put it in my son's lizard tank. Now I will know to look at the tags better. Sadly the Petco gal had no idea. $$ Today I did a 50% water change as well to rid the tank of some of the tannins.