Substrate for SA dwarf cichlids?
 

I am looking for a new home for my little cichlids. They currently reside in my community tank with EC, but I want something a little more natural for them.

I have a 20L tank waiting for them but I want to add some kind of sand substrate so they can sift through. Would pool filter sand be too large for them? Should I use sand as a cap for soil or just use root tabs? WOuld you get black sand or natural? Any advice would be helpful.

BTW I have a pair of breeding GBR, 4 Checkerboards and want to get a pair of apistos for this tank.

I got the Cichlid sand from Caribsea (sp?) it's a little more expensive, but I like the consistency better and it didn't cloud up much at all. I'm only using Java Moss and Java Fern and hopefully some Fissidins. I used straight sand and I'm just dosing the water. I'm planning on GBR's, Cardinals, and Cory's

Hi Monk3y God,

My Apistogramma cacatuoides Triple Red breed well in their 10 gallon with Safe-T-Sorb substrate.

http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...27799338nu0mrj

http://images1.snapfish.com/23232323...%3A36338nu0mrj

@ The Dude - I will have to check out the Cichlid sand for consistency, but I already bought 2 bags of Eco and in hindsight I believe that $40 is too much to pay for any substrate. the checkerboard cichlids are quite tiny so I want something between 20 to 40 grain size.

@Seattle - Gimme your little fishies NOW! That Tripple is exactly what I have been shopping for in Colorado and there is a serious lack of apisto variety here. That Safe T-Sorb looks really amazing. I was afraid of the fruity pebble look that I saw in another tank, but that looks pretty natural in your 10. I may consider that for my other tanks.