New here and need advise on getting substrate

[Cookie_apisto]

Hi I am new here and new to Apisto also. I need some advise on getting substrate (except soil) for my dwarf cichlid tank. I going to stock two pair of apisto, a pair of checkerboard cichlids, a pair German blue rams and maybe a pair of dwarf pike cichlids in a 53 gallon tank. I am thinking of those pool filter sand in black color. Is that a good idea? Thank you

 

[Mike Wise]

Pool filter sand is a good idea. Personally, your stocking idea is not.

 

[Cookie_apisto]

Cant find any black pool filter sand. I am considering to get two large bag of caribsea tahitian moon sand. Did any of you guys have experience with this? Is a bit pricey too.

 

[Mike Wise]

The Amazon is covered by fine whitish sand. Most black sands are marine beach sands that will contain shell fragments that will harden the water.

 

[Cookie_apisto]

Yaaa I have a concern of that also but it said that it wont buffer the water and wont effect the PH. Not sure if this true.

 

[Mike Wise]

Such sand probably doesn't affect pH much in a tank with typical tap water that is moderately alkaline and moderately hard. But in a true softwater tank? Well ... .

 

[Cookie_apisto]

Just bought some black sand today. Hope is gonna looks good in the tank. So you mean they only affect the ph and hardness when using in a soft water tank?

 

[Ttw]

I use CaribSea Peace River gravel that is also not suppose to affect hardness and pH. My water is very soft 50-70 ppm and acidic 4.5-6.5. This gravel has not affected those parameters.

 

[Cookie_apisto]

I use CaribSea Peace River gravel that is also not suppose to affect hardness and pH. My water is very soft 50-70 ppm and acidic 4.5-6.5. This gravel has not affected those parameters.

How come your water is so acidic by the way?

 

[Ttw]

I keep Apistos that need that acidic of water in order to breed.

 

[Cookie_apisto]

I keep Apistos that need that acidic of water in order to breed.

What you did to lower the ph and hardness?

 

[Ttw]

I use RO water then adjust to the desired pH with Seachem Acid Buffer or Alkaline Buffer

 

[Cookie_apisto]

Seem like everyone is using a ro unit.

 

[Mike Wise]

Only those who are interested in breeding rarer blackwater species. If all you want is to maintain and possibly breed A. cacatuoides or similar tolerant species, then your tap water should work.

 

[Cookie_apisto]

Is it possible that if i can just maintain the black water species but not to breed them?

 

[Mike Wise]

It really depends on the species. Species like A. elizabethae or A. sp. Miua will slowly waste away in anything but very soft water. Species like A. bitaeniata will do fine, but become more susceptible to parasites and diseases. You can keep them, just manage the water quality more carefully.

 

[Cookie_apisto]

bitaeniata are from blackwater also? What if they are tank captive breed?

 

[Mike Wise]

Yes, A. bitaeniata occurs only in black- or mixed black/clearwater streams. I've never seen them in water with a pH >6.0 in the wild, but do OK in water that is pH<7.0°. At these higher values they tend to be more susceptible to parasites and diseases however. Tank raised fish usually tolerate less optimal conditions, but most captive bred blackwater species are bred in blackwater by hobbyist-breeders. That's why so many breeders use R/O units to soften water. Few blackwater species are bred in large commercial operations.

 

[Cookie_apisto]

Ok i see. What about apisto iniridae? Are they from blackwater also?

 

[Mike Wise]

Not only are they a blackwater species, but IME females are very choosy about breeding partners. May I suggest buying a good book on dwarf cichlids? They will give you good information on breeding requirements.