Is African Cichlid sand ok?

[maisy]

Setting up a new tank for my baby Axie. Love the Caribsea brand of sand substrate- it comes in a lovely dark color which will look good with my creature. The bag says that is is for african cichlids because it maintains a high ph and alkilinity that they like. Would that be appropriate for an axie?
Thanks!:rofl:

 

[Olivia97]

axolotls do like a higher alkalinity but maybe do a test first to see how altered the water is?

 

[axiekeeper]

I believe that african cichlid sand will buffer the water to 8-8.5, to high for axie thinks I.
them African cichlids like there water very hard, I know i've got calcium carbonate rocks in my sump to keep water buffered.

 

[millerj76]

Best to use a sand that is really fine, i also keep cichlids and use crushed coral sand, this is definetly not as fine as play sand and i find that it does have a slightly abrasive feeling, so this could have an adverse affect on your axolotl, as they kind of drag their bodies along the substrate. Then some cichlids sands are designed to raise/buffer ph, as said above. Always best to check and double check how your water conditions are, and as with adding any animal/fish to new conditions, keep a close check on the axolotl for the first 24-48 hours, then if your axolotl starts acting/behaving strangely or looks unwell, then you can try to sort the problem sooner rather than later.

 

[Lexolotl]

I use pool filter sand in my 140 gallon african cichlid tank, and crushed coral in my 55 gallon tank.

Pool filter sand is really fine, and it's cheap. I plan to set up an axolotl tank and that's what I'll be using for substrate.

 

[axiekeeper]

+1 to the pool filter sand, very well graded very clean and very fine and smooth, I may add some to my tank as well

 

[Kaysie]

+2 for pool filter sand. Cheap, easy to find, works great. I've used it for years.