How to Aquascape an African Rift Aquarium

Lakes Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria, along with several smaller lakes in east Africa, are home to many popular aquarium fish, known as cichlids. These lakes are known as "rift" lakes because they were formed by tectonic activity that fractured the Earth's surface. The fish that come from these areas are generally hardy and colorful, but they can be aggressive with each other. Aquascaping the aquarium to mimic rocky rift lake conditions allows the cichlids to live in an authentic environment, while creating safe hiding places for smaller or more timid fish in the same tank.

Things You'll Need

  • Sand
  • Stones, varied sizes and shapes
  • Empty snail shells
  • Artificial aquarium plants
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Instructions

    • 1

      Calculate how much sand you need for the bottom of your tank. Adding 1 to 2 pounds of sand per gallon of tank capacity will provide a 2-inch layer of sand in the bottom.

    • 2

      Rinse sand with water until the water runs clear. Cichlids like to dig in the the sand, and if the sand is dusty, their activity will cloud the tank. Break up the task by rinsing a portion of sand in a bucket with a garden hose, then transfer the clean sand to bags.

    • 3

      Spread the sand evenly over the bottom of the tank.

    • 4

      Place rocks in the tank, pressing them slightly into the sand for stability. Start with larger rocks toward the back of the tank, and use smaller stones in the front. Be creative, using a combination of flat rocks and rounder rocks to create caves and ledges. Broken clay pots with fish-sized entryways are also a good substitute for caves.

    • 5

      Add a few empty snail shells to the front of the tank. Certain cichlid species like to live and spawn in the shells.

    • 6

      Add artificial aquarium plants, if desired. Live plants do not do well in rift lake aquariums because the cichlids will uproot them.