African Ciclids

[rdd1952]

I am going to get a new 75 gallon tank, hopefully this weekend. I want to do saltwater but probably won't at this time because of the start up costs. If I do freshwater, I would like to have african ciclids but my KH is 1 and my pH runs about 6.8. How many problems would I run into in trying to get the KH and pH high enough for them? I don't want to be in a constant battle to keep their water stable.

 

[OoHeatheroO]

Get a ph raising additive.

 

[Ferris]

I wouldn't reccomend trying to raise your ph with additives, its very difficult to keep it at a certain level this way, every time you do a water change you have to try and get the level right again. Your best bet is to add some rocks as part of the aquascaping. Certain rocks like Tuffa or Ocean rock raise the ph naturally and keep it at that level.

To be honest most African Cichlids are raised in captivity now and are used to ph's around 7 so you would probably be OK. A few rocks and you'll get the water to at least 7 and your water changes won't affect the balance of the tank.

 

[rdd1952]

I had read that using argonite sand or crushed coral would help raise the pH too. Africans are very pretty and I would love to have a tank. I definitely don't want to get into adding chemicals to try to keep things balanced.

 

[Ferris]

Spot on, both of those will raise the ph. Be careful with crushed coral though, it is very sharp and is best covered with another substrate to avoid scrapes etc. It will need a pretty decent covering as cichlids love digging and rearranging your tank. Most Malawi's will be fine with a ph of 7 or higher.

 

[Ferris]

Sorry forgot to add, you won't regret choosing cichlids, I keep Mbuna from Lake Malawi and they are fantastic, full of personality. Sure they're agressive but pick your fish carefully and you'll love it!

 

[rdd1952]

Thanks for your help. Now I have to truly decide what I'm going to put in the tank. I was almost hoping everyone was going to tell me ciclids would be too much trouble and I could eliminate that option.

 

[Ferris]

They can be trouble but they're well worth it. Most good LFS will accept fish back so if you make a wrong choice you should be able to return a problematic fish. Believe me, I've had to, hate doing it though

 

[Oddball]

Although im an oddball keeper, even i have been swayed by the charm of the african cichlid! i keep a range of them now and love them!

In any case a tip, i have noticed that many keepers widh to add some sort of wood to the setup, this is not always a good idea as many woods lower the pH of the water so adding the very expensive coral gravel etc is a moot point.

Although there are many books and articles on africans, each fish is an idnividual and ive seen and kept many exceptions to the known rules, where some have only been happy to massacre their tank mates, and some vicous pyschos by all accounts are soft as kittens! As I say, fish dont read books, especially africans!

 

[Ferris]

As I say, fish dont read books, especially africans!

lol oddball

 

[rdd1952]

I definitely won't be adding driftwood. My pH is already low at 6.6 for africans. I think driftwoodk is very pretty in a tank but unfortunately, I've already ruled out being able to use it.

 

[rdd1952]

I agree that fish don't read. Even I don't read unless I have too. I've found it is much easier to get on here or one of the other forums I visit and ask people who have experience with them. Besides, if I'm reading a book, I can't be wathcing my fish.

 

[Oddball]

well said rdd! tops!

i know that feelin, started readin only to be distracted by a quick flash out the corner of my eye!