Pure Water Pebbles African Cichlid Aquarium Substrate, Malawi Mix, 20-lb bag

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About This Item

Details

  • 100% natural substrate simulates a cichlid’s natural rift lake environment; contains no dyes so it won’t foul your water clarity.
  • Looks great in both indoor tanks and outdoor ponds; large pellet size provides ample living space for beneficial microbes and anchoring for plants.
  • Aids the filtering process by increasing the surface area available for nitrifying bacteria to colonize.
  • Also helps reduce harmful nitrate, maintain proper pH and enhance buffering capacity, along with providing essential inorganic elements.
  • Malawi Mix granules measure 3.5-5 mm; also includes trace elements and critical nutrients needed to maintain ideal tank water quality.

Instructions

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Questions & Answers

7 Customer Questions

If I add about 5 pounds of this to an established 150 gallon African cichlid aquarium... how fast or slow would the pH rise?

Answer by Chewy • Aug 23, 2019
The pH levels will vary depending upon the time of the year that our substrates are collected. Each bag contains live bacteria with a pH that can vary between 7.8 – 8.6.

So if I have a 125 gallon tank with old pebbles in it, do I take all them out, and add the new substrate 2 bags every month until I reach my full 125 pounds of substrate?

Answer by Chewy • May 24, 2020
In general, it is recommended to use a minimum of 1-lb Pure Water Pebbles African Cichlid Substrate per gallon of fresh water. When adding the substrate, during the first month introduce no more than 1 inch of substrate per 5 gallons of fresh water. It is best to gradually transition the substrate instead of replacing it all at once.

Is this substrate safe for snails?

Answer by Chewy • Dec 16, 2020
The substrate may be used an a saltwater (marine) snail aquarium. This product is only intended for African Cichlids or a Marine aquarium. The calcium content will raise the pH in freshwater aquariums, which is not healthy for freshwater fish.

Should this mix be rinsed before adding to the tank?

Answer by Chewy • Aug 08, 2020
It is recommended to rinse any Substrate before adding to your tank.
Reviews
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4.3
Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars
31 Ratings
Terms & Conditions

27 Customer Reviews

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Ko on Aug 29, 2025

Price

The price was great. The shipping was free!!! All was a good experience!!!

The price was great. The shipping was free!!! All was a good experience!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Keith on Aug 5, 2025

Great finish to bottom of Aquarium

Hardly any dust or dirt in bag! Took no time to rinse stone

Hardly any dust or dirt in bag! Took no time to rinse stone

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By lena on Sep 1, 2025

Products is not what I ordered

Products is not what I ordered

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Larence on Nov 5, 2024

Great on top of sand substrate

After water change and adding it in top of sand substrate my tank cleared and looks natural

After water change and adding it in top of sand substrate my tank cleared and looks natural

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By backyardigansPablo on Jun 15, 2023

🚧NOT FOR FRESH WATER FISH🚧

This substrate is listed as being for goldfish koi and other pond fish, this substrate is not for fresh water fish it will raise your pH way above 7.0 and almost

This substrate is listed as being for goldfish koi and other pond fish, this substrate is not for fresh water fish it will raise your pH way above 7.0 and almost killed all my fish, please if your have salt water fish than by all means buy this but if you have fresh water fish do not buy this I have contacted chewy over this they said they'd change the listing type that was a month ago and nothing has changed.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars
By Tanya on Jun 24, 2023

Bag was open

Good product, but the bag was open when arrived.

Good product, but the bag was open when arrived.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Bill on Nov 5, 2022

Aquarium aquascaping made easy.

I have used these pebbles on at least 3 aquariums with great success. Highly recommended.

I have used these pebbles on at least 3 aquariums with great success. Highly recommended.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Birdman on Aug 28, 2022

Really loved the gravel

Loved the gravel. It made my tank stand out. Have got a lot of compliments on my tank

Loved the gravel. It made my tank stand out. Have got a lot of compliments on my tank

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Sweetpea on May 28, 2022

Never have to concern myself with the packaging and the fast delivery!

Ordered several bags of gravel for my new aquarium setup. Even that it was quite heavy, the packaging was boxed and secured so well, it really was impressive!

Ordered several bags of gravel for my new aquarium setup. Even that it was quite heavy, the packaging was boxed and secured so well, it really was impressive! So happy with my order and can’t thank then enough for how quickly it came!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By Grassgreen on Aug 11, 2021

not pleased with this product

This African Cichlid substrate (gravel) is composed of material that by nature is extremely difficult to use and enjoy clear water. With more than adequate filtration

This African Cichlid substrate (gravel) is composed of material that by nature is extremely difficult to use and enjoy clear water. With more than adequate filtration I’m over a week in and still have cloudy (dirty) water, do yourself a favor and stick with regular aquarium gravel.