The way to increase GH?

[FF_Member146894]

I'm considering getting a tank for shell dweller cichlids, (the 50 gallon 10 inch tall zoo med tank) and I'm wondering what the most efficient way to reach higher GH is
This used to not be a problem when my GH was higher a long time ago, but now my GH is about 7 dGH (my pH remains at about 8.2-8.5 and has been there for years though)
Should I use the product "seachem cichlid lake salts" to achieve higher GH, is there another way?
If I go with the seachem "salts" how do I mix it with the tap water - do I add it and let it stand for a day in separate containers or is waiting not necessary (does it work instantly)?

 

[Colin_T]

Rift Lake water conditioner. There are numerous brands available including the SeaChem one mentioned above. Basically you want something that will increase the GH, KH and pH of the water so it replicates the African Rift Lakes (Lake Tanganyika, Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria).

When using Rift Lake salts or Artificial Marine salts, you get a large plastic or glass container and fill it with dechlorinated water. Add some of the Rift Lake salts to the water and aerate the mixture for at least 24 hours before using it. This allows all the minerals to dissolve into the water and gives you a stable water chemistry (GH, KH & pH). After 24 hours, you can use that water to do water changes.

If your GH is already 7dGH, you will only need to use the Rift Lake conditioner at about 60% strength for shell dwelling cichlids.

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If the tank is only 10 inches high, it won't be that good for viewing. There will be several inches of sand on the bottom and the water level will be 1-2 inches below the top. This leaves about 7 inches of water for the fish.

I would look for a tank that is at least 12 inches high.

If you get a tank that is 4 foot long x 18 inches wide x 18 inches high, you could have shell dwellers on the bottom and some Cyprichromis leptosoma or Paracyprichomis nigripinnis in mid water. They both come from the same lake and are both peaceful and will coexist because they live in different sections of the tank.

 

[FF_Member146894]

This leaves about 7 inches of water for the fish.

I would look for a tank that is at least 12 inches high.

this is going to be a purely shell dweller tank, with no other fish, so I don't think it's going to be a problem
if there's going to be seven inches of water that's still seven times the length of the largest fish
is there any reason besides a bad view that should make me get a custom taller tank (there are no taller tanks with large footprints similar to this one as far as I know)?

 

[itiwhetu]

Just use lime chip as the substrate and you will never have an issue with hardness.

 

[Colin_T]

If your going to get a tank, it should be useful further down the track. If you get rid of the shell dwellers, what else can you keep in that tank?

 

[FF_Member146894]

If your going to get a tank, it should be useful further down the track. If you get rid of the shell dwellers, what else can you keep in that tank?

it's a $100 USD tank, if I decide to keep another fish I'll sell it and get another tank, it's not a big loss
I can build the stand with 2x6s instead of 2x4s for more support so if I ever want to get a taller tank I can get a 120 gallon since it's the same footprint