{"product_id":"eco-complete-black-cichlid-20lb-9-072kg","title":"Eco-Complete Black Cichlid 20lb (9.072kg)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Rift Lake gravel that holds pH up without a single chemical.\u003c\/strong\u003e CaribSea Eco-Complete Black Cichlid, sold by CaribSea under the name Zack Black, is an aragonite-based African cichlid substrate supplied damp in a 20 lb (9.072 kg) bag with a grain size of 4.0 to 10.0 mm. That is a coarse gravel grade rather than a sand. It arrives packed in a water conditioning solution with live bacteria, so it goes straight into the tank without rinsing. Because it is aragonite it raises pH and carbonate hardness and keeps them there, which is what Malawi, Tanganyika and Victorian cichlids want and what a planted or soft-water tank does not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e4.0 to 10.0 mm coarse grain\u003c\/strong\u003e - large enough that a determined digger rearranges the bed rather than excavating a crater down to the glass.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAragonite based\u003c\/strong\u003e - it adds calcium, magnesium and carbonate to the water, and CaribSea states it buffers automatically for the life of the aquarium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLive bacteria in the bag\u003c\/strong\u003e - supplied damp and biologically active, which shortens the time a new bed takes to start processing ammonia.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo rinsing\u003c\/strong\u003e - it is packed in a water conditioning solution that removes chlorine and chloramine. Rinsing throws away both the bacteria and the conditioner.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe lightest cichlid grade per litre of bed\u003c\/strong\u003e - at 54 lb per cubic foot it takes about a quarter fewer kilograms to fill the same bed as the 72 lb per cubic foot Cichlid Gravel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack throughout\u003c\/strong\u003e - most Rift Lake cichlids hold deeper colour over a dark substrate than over a white one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the question a substrate page has to answer. The table gives the weight of Black Cichlid and the number of 9.072 kg bags for common Australian tank footprints, worked from CaribSea's published bulk density of 54 lb per cubic foot (0.87 kg per litre of bed).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTank footprint\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e2.5 cm bed\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e5 cm bed\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e7.5 cm bed\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 x 30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3.9 kg - 1 bag\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.8 kg - 1 bag\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11.7 kg - 2 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e90 x 38 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.4 kg - 1 bag\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e14.8 kg - 2 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22.2 kg - 3 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 x 45 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11.7 kg - 2 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23.4 kg - 3 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e35.0 kg - 4 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 x 60 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e19.5 kg - 3 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e38.9 kg - 5 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e58.4 kg - 7 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e180 x 60 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23.4 kg - 3 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e46.7 kg - 6 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e70.1 kg - 8 bags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow these figures are worked out\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaribSea publishes a bulk density for every substrate. Bed volume is the tank footprint multiplied by the depth you want, and the weight is that volume multiplied by the density. Bag counts are rounded up to the next whole bag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo practical adjustments. Rockwork and caves sitting on the glass displace substrate, so a heavily scaped Tanganyikan tank needs a little less than the table says. A bed that slopes from front to back needs the average depth, not the deepest point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGrain size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.0 to 10.0 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBag weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 lb (9.072 kg)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBulk density\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e54 lb per cubic foot (0.87 kg per litre)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBed volume per bag\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 10.5 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eColour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMaterial\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAragonite based, supplied damp in a water conditioning solution\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eEffect on water\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRaises pH and carbonate hardness, and continues buffering\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRinsing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot required, and not recommended\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater - African Rift Lake and other hard, alkaline setups\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSupplier code\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCS0777\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich Eco-Complete Cichlid grade do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGrade\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGrain size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBulk density\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBag\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBest for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/eco-complete-cichlid-sand-20lb-9-072kg\"\u003eEco-Complete Cichlid Sand\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.5 to 1.5 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e92 lb\/cu ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9.072 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShell dwellers, sand sifters and mouthbrooders that pick through the bed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/eco-complete-cichlid-gravel-20lb-9-072kg\"\u003eEco-Complete Cichlid Gravel\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.0 to 10.0 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e72 lb\/cu ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9.072 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNatural-toned coarse bed; the densest grade, so heavy diggers move it least\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/eco-complete-black-cichlid-20lb-9-072kg\"\u003eEco-Complete Black Cichlid\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.0 to 10.0 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e54 lb\/cu ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9.072 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe same coarse grade in black, and the fewest kilograms per litre of bed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe also stock CaribSea \u003ca href=\"\/products\/eco-complete-white-cichlid-20lb-9-072kg\"\u003eEco-Complete White Cichlid\u003c\/a\u003e if you want a bright bed rather than a dark one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe trade-off with the black grade\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack Cichlid and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/eco-complete-cichlid-gravel-20lb-9-072kg\"\u003eCichlid Gravel\u003c\/a\u003e share the same 4.0 to 10.0 mm grain, but Black Cichlid is 54 lb per cubic foot against the gravel's 72. That means a lighter, more porous grain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upside is fewer kilograms and less freight for the same bed depth. The downside is that a large digging Malawi or a nest-building featherfin shifts a lighter grain more readily. If your tank is built around serious excavators, the denser gravel stays put better.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lake Malawi, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria cichlid aquariums; Central American cichlid tanks that want hard alkaline water; any freshwater setup where pH drifts down between water changes and you would rather it did not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e planted aquariums, soft-water community tanks, blackwater and Amazonian setups, shrimp tanks, and discus or apistogramma systems. Aragonite raises pH and carbonate hardness and there is no way to switch that off. It is also the wrong grade for shell-dwelling Tanganyikans, which need a fine sand they can actually excavate - \u003ca href=\"\/products\/eco-complete-cichlid-sand-20lb-9-072kg\"\u003eEco-Complete Cichlid Sand\u003c\/a\u003e at 0.5 to 1.5 mm is the right call there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSetting it up\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePut the substrate into an empty tank first, and tip in the liquid from the bag with it - that liquid is the water conditioner and the bacterial culture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLevel it, then place rockwork and caves directly on the glass wherever you can, so nothing topples when a fish digs underneath.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd water slowly onto a plate or a bag laid on the substrate rather than straight onto the bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRun filtration. Some cloudiness is normal and clears as the filter catches the fines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 4.0 to 10.0 mm bed has large gaps between grains, so uneaten pellets and detritus fall into it rather than sitting on top. This grade rewards a proper gravel vacuum worked into the bed at water changes, not the light surface siphoning a fine sand gets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeeping the bed shallow is what makes that possible. At 2.5 to 5 cm you can reach the glass with a siphon. Much deeper and the lower layer becomes a detritus reservoir you cannot service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe buffering capacity is consumed very slowly as aragonite dissolves, so there is no replacement schedule. Top up if the depth drops noticeably over several years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/eco-complete-cichlid-sand-20lb-9-072kg\"\u003eCaribSea Eco-Complete Cichlid Sand\u003c\/a\u003e - the fine grade, for a sand patch in front of the rockwork or for shell dwellers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/dragon-stone-freshwater-rock-25lb-11kg\"\u003eDragon Stone Freshwater Rock\u003c\/a\u003e - pitted rock that makes good cichlid caves and territory breaks, and reads strongly against a black bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/hikari-cichlid-excel-pellet-250g\"\u003eHikari Cichlid Excel Pellet 250g\u003c\/a\u003e - a vegetable-based pellet for the herbivorous Malawi species usually kept over this substrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaribSea does not publish a warranty term for its substrates. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law apply regardless, and are not limited by anything the manufacturer does or does not offer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach bag weighs 9.072 kg. A 150 x 60 cm tank at 5 cm depth is five bags, close to 45 kg, so check the freight total before you order a full bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo I need to rinse CaribSea Eco-Complete Black Cichlid before use?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It is supplied damp in a water conditioning solution with live bacteria, and CaribSea's instruction is to place the contents straight into the aquarium. Rinsing removes the conditioner and the bacteria you paid for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow high will it push my pH?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAragonite buffers against downward drift rather than driving pH to a fixed target, so the figure you land on depends on your tap water, your KH and how heavily the tank is stocked. It will hold a Rift Lake tank in the alkaline range and stop the slow acidification that otherwise happens between water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is the difference between Black Cichlid and Cichlid Gravel?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrain size is identical at 4.0 to 10.0 mm. The differences are colour and density: Black Cichlid is black and 54 lb per cubic foot, Cichlid Gravel is natural toned and 72 lb per cubic foot. The black grade needs fewer kilograms for the same bed but is moved more easily by large diggers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I use it in a planted tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It raises pH and carbonate hardness, which suits Rift Lake cichlids and works against most aquarium plants. For a planted tank use \u003ca href=\"\/products\/eco-complete-planted-black-20lb-9-072kg\"\u003eEco-Complete Planted Black\u003c\/a\u003e, which is carbonate free and will not raise pH.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs the black colour a coating that wears off?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaribSea states its Eco-Complete substrates use no artificial dyes, paints or chemical coatings, so there is no painted surface layer to chip away from individual grains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow deep should the bed be?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2.5 to 5 cm suits most Rift Lake tanks and stays serviceable with a gravel vacuum. Go deeper only where a species genuinely digs, and accept that the lower layer will collect detritus you cannot easily reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"CaribSea","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55293347823907,"sku":"CS0777","price":79.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/cs0777_1725237634_thumb_0a696db6-325e-4046-9ba8-6d91f57dbd99.png?v=1783216135","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/eco-complete-black-cichlid-20lb-9-072kg","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}