- Sku: 00223
- Vendor: CaribSea
CaribSea African Cichlid Mix - Ivory Coast Sand
CaribSea African Cichlid Mix in Ivory Coast Sand is a premium aragonite substrate built specifically for African Rift Lake cichlid aquariums. Its naturally high calcium carbonate content buffers your water toward the high pH and hardness that Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika cichlids thrive in, while a clean, light sand bed makes their colors pop. No paints and no dyes, just an aquarium-safe substrate that doubles as a water conditioner.
Stock up for your African tank alongside our freshwater livestock and supplies and the cichlid care products below.
Why This Substrate
- Buffers for African cichlids: aragonite naturally maintains a high, stable pH and alkalinity, recreating the hard mineral-rich water of Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika.
- Ivory Coast color: a light, natural sand blend that brightens the aquarium and shows off vivid cichlid coloration.
- Digger and sifter friendly: a fine grain that is gentle on barbels and easy for cichlids to shuffle and rearrange.
- Aquarium safe: contains no paints or dyes. Rinse, add, and go.
Specifications
| Product | CaribSea African Cichlid Mix, Ivory Coast Sand |
| Type | Aragonite buffering substrate |
| Best For | African Rift Lake cichlids (Malawi, Tanganyika) |
| Water Type | Freshwater, hard and alkaline |
| Buffers pH & KH | Yes |
| Bag Size | 20 lb |
| Brand | CaribSea |
| Pickup | In-store only |
Recommended Pairings
- Fritz Rift Lake Cichlid Buffer to lock in high pH and KH
- Fritz Rift Lake Cichlid Probiotic Salt for trace minerals and GH
- Hikari Cichlid Gold Pellets for daily feeding
- Hikari Texas Holey Rock for caves and aquascaping
- Stock the tank with African cichlids like the Brichardi Lyretail or Electric Blue Johanni
FAQ
How much do I need?
A good rule of thumb is about 1 pound per gallon for a 1 inch bed, or more for a deeper sand bed. A 20 lb bag suits roughly a 20 gallon tank at standard depth.
Do I need to rinse it first?
A quick rinse cuts down on initial cloudiness, though aragonite sands settle quickly.
Will it really raise my pH?
Yes. It buffers toward a high, stable pH, which is exactly what African cichlids want. For that reason it is not recommended for soft-water or blackwater fish.
Why is this pickup only?
It is heavy, so we keep it on the shelf for fast in-store pickup rather than shipping.
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CaribSea African Cichlid Mix - Ivory Coast Sand
