African Rift Lake Sand (5kg)

African rift lake sand is sourced and graded to match the substrate characteristics found along the rocky and sandy shallows of Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika — two of the world's most biodiverse freshwater ecosystems. The warm beige tone and mixed fine-to-medium grain replicates the lake bottom environments where mbuna, peacocks, frontosa, and shell-dwelling cichlids evolved.

The sand contains a natural calcium carbonate fraction that passively buffers pH upward toward the alkaline range of 7.8–8.5 required by rift lake cichlids, reducing the need for chemical additives. The medium grain size resists displacement by the vigorous digging behaviour of cichlid species and provides firm anchorage for rockwork and hardscape. Five kilograms covers approximately 40 × 30 cm at 3–4 cm depth.