Ph With Cichlids

[funkyhoney]

First off, sorry if this should be in the scientific section!


I just want to know what I should use to make long term adjustments to make the PH in my cichlid tanks more alkaline, at the moment I have Calcium Carbonate as a substrate and sandstone rocks in the tank yet the PH only sits at around 7.4; I know most Malawi cichlids prefer a PH approaching 8 or above so what can I do?

I'm fairly new to the wide world of cichlids and have generally stuck to tropical up until now, thanks in advance for any help!

 

[alessasavoca]

you could add crushed coral to your filter, that's supposed to help.... or you could could buy some of my tap water with a 'fresh out the tap' Ph of 8.2 !!!

 

[Maximus]

What cichlids are we talking about here?

 

[funkyhoney]

What cichlids are we talking about here?

9 baby Jacobfriebergi Peacocks, however that will change as when they get a bit larger I plan to sell most of them and get a few Electric Yellows along with a few others.

 

[Maximus]

What size is the tank again?

It's pretty unadvisable to mix peacocks and mbuna, although with a big enough tank it *can* be done.


And tbh, your fish are most likely tank-bred, theres no need to be raising the PH.


Are you using RO water for water changes?

 

[funkyhoney]

What size is the tank again?

It's pretty unadvisable to mix peacocks and mbuna, although with a big enough tank it *can* be done.


And tbh, your fish are most likely tank-bred, theres no need to be raising the PH.


Are you using RO water for water changes?

It's only a small tank, 90L, please don't point out I will need a larger tank for the Peacocks, the only reason they are at my place is because the tank was empty and I was rescuing them from a small unheated tank at work they were born in

They do seem fine, however if I was to move them off and replace them with various Mbuna or other dwarf cichlids that enjoy higher PH's how should I go about it?

And what's RO sorry?

 

[Maximus]

And what's RO sorry?

RO water is reverse-osmosis water, mainy used for marine and discus tanks.

They do seem fine, however if I was to move them off and replace them with various Mbuna or other dwarf cichlids

Mbuna aren't dwarf cichlids, and again need a much bigger tank then 90 L, with prefferably 48" of length.

how should I go about it?

How long has the tank been setup? The calcium can take a few days/week to start to leech, I'd just wait it out if I were you.

Especially with the substrate you have, I'm sure it will slowly rise.

If you must raise the PH, you can try putting a bag of crushed coral in the filter, although IIRC it may loose it's buffering capability and
need to be replaced after a while.

I've just seen your tank in the photo forum, you may want to consider adding alot more rocks, this may help with your PH problem and also
help create seperate territories for the growing peacocks.

 

[funkyhoney]

And what's RO sorry?

RO water is reverse-osmosis water, mainy used for marine and discus tanks.

They do seem fine, however if I was to move them off and replace them with various Mbuna or other dwarf cichlids

Mbuna aren't dwarf cichlids, and again need a much bigger tank then 90 L, with prefferably 48" of length.

how should I go about it?

How long has the tank been setup? The calcium can take a few days/week to start to leech, I'd just wait it out if I were you.

Especially with the substrate you have, I'm sure it will slowly rise.

If you must raise the PH, you can try putting a bag of crushed coral in the filter, although IIRC it may loose it's buffering capability and
need to be replaced after a while.

I've just seen your tank in the photo forum, you may want to consider adding alot more rocks, this may help with your PH problem and also
help create seperate territories for the growing peacocks.

No not using RO water, just normal tap water.

I though Electric Yellows only got to about 4" in size? Would Kribensis/Rams/Butterfly's be a better option?

I fully drained the tank and refilled it about a week ago however the filter has been on it for a good 3 months, along with the substrate. In that case I'll pick up some more rocks, possibly a large number of smaller sized ones to help fill it up.

 

[Maximus]

I though Electric Yellows only got to about 4" in size?

5-6" is more common, and they are very active swimmers, and need the space.

Just because somethings small, doesn't mean it's a dwarf.

Would Kribensis/Rams/Butterfly's be a better option?

Yes, IMO your tank would be great for a pair of kribs or rams. You could even have a go at breeding the rams, I
hear it's a sight to see the parents protecting the many fry they have.

I'll pick up some more rocks, possibly a large number of smaller sized ones to help fill it up.

The fish will appreciate it

 

[funkyhoney]

I though Electric Yellows only got to about 4" in size?

5-6" is more common, and they are very active swimmers, and need the space.

Just because somethings small, doesn't mean it's a dwarf.

Would Kribensis/Rams/Butterfly's be a better option?

Yes, IMO your tank would be great for a pair of kribs or rams. You could even have a go at breeding the rams, I
hear it's a sight to see the parents protecting the many fry they have.

I'll pick up some more rocks, possibly a large number of smaller sized ones to help fill it up.

The fish will appreciate it

Hmmm, fair enough then; what else would be suitable to go in there if I wanted to get a larger number of fish (in terms of cichlids)? A single pair would be to boring or is that the price I have to pay for only setting up a 2ft?

 

[Maximus]

Thats why I suggested breeding, a bit more interesting if you like.

What are the diamentions of the tank? That may help you out a bit.

If I were you, I'd go for a single species shelldweller tank.

Lamprologus ocellatus are one of the smaller, more common species that would do
well in your tank.

I don't have much knowledge in the way of shelldwellers, just the general interest of wanting a tank, so I won't be able
to help you on numbers, hopefully someone else can answer that for you.

 

[funkyhoney]

Thats why I suggested breeding, a bit more interesting if you like.

What are the diamentions of the tank? That may help you out a bit.

If I were you, I'd go for a single species shelldweller tank.

Lamprologus ocellatus are one of the smaller, more common species that would do
well in your tank.

I don't have much knowledge in the way of shelldwellers, just the general interest of wanting a tank, so I won't be able
to help you on numbers, hopefully someone else can answer that for you.

24x12x15" I believe. The main reason I want to but cichlids in there are to get a feel for them as I'm used to tropicals, and if i dislike them or find it too pressing for whatever reason it's not as big of a liability; so perhaps a small breeding pair would be an idea. We're getting some new cichlids in at work soon so I'll see what we get and also have a look at the shell dwellers, thanks for all the help!

Oh just quickly, would Red Forest Jewels or Princess Cichlids be alright? perhaps as a breeding pair even?

 

[darrel69]

why not try baking soda for your ph problem ?

 

[funkyhoney]

why not try baking soda for your ph problem ?

I do use it to adjust the PH and even have the "proper" version of baking soda in my test kit but i was under the impression that the adjustments made with chemicals like that only lasted a few days?

 

[darrel69]

well i do a 25% water change every 4th day and when i do so, i put in 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every 10 gallon. from the first day i started doing this, ive tested my ph everyday and its been 8.2 every time.