Mbuna Water

[tttnjfttt]

I know Mbuna's like hard water with a high pH, and I was wondering what, if anything I should do to my water.

pH ~ 7.8
GH ~ 3-4
KH ~ 3

I know the pH is close to their normal range, but the KH and GH are low. Should I alter it with bakingsoda?

 

[vantgE]

I wouldn't fool with it, makeing any alterations to your twater should be done as a last resort.. If you are concerned it is a good idea to add some buffering material some coral or argonite to your filter maybe.

 

[Ricey]

I would find out what water conditions your LFS has (where you plan to get your fish from). If its local to you, they will most probably share the same water source as you, hence no need to change anything.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Unfortunately, the LFS isn't quite local. The one I am thinking of going to is about an hour and a half away from me. I havent' found anything closer that I am really pleased with. Also, just because a LFS keeps their fish in certain water, doesn't mean that it is correct for that species.

 

[freddyk]

It doesn't matter where you get the fish from, your water is fine and it's not worth messing with - you don't think the fish were bred and raised in that local water, do you? Nope, they adjusted to the LFS water, just like they'll have no problem adjusting to yours. Your PH is good, your GH is good, and your KH is a little low. A low KH has no affect on the fish, but it does lessen buffering and make the PH less stable.

This can be overcome easily by using limestone rocks, or crushed coral in the filter as Vantage suggested. You can also use common baking soda with each water change -this will raise the KH as much as you want to, and the PH up to about 8.2. If you decide to do this, start off with just a tsp. per 5 gallons and gradually increase the dose until you get the results you want (typically a KH of about 10). Baking soda is a harmless additive with no side effects, but it must be added with each water change.

 

[tttnjfttt]

THis is interesting. Today while doing a water change, and when the pH is a little higher over all, I noticed my labs were alot more active than normal. So I decided that I owuld begin to add in baking soda. So far I have added 1 tsp/20 gal, and they are already really beginning to perk up.

(the labs are the only cichlids so far)