Water Additives. Salt, Epsoms Etc.

[doktor doris]

hullo again chaps,

I just encountered this bit of advice on a rift cichlid site.

What do the experienced keepers on here think?

"Commercial buffers and salts can get quite expensive if you have a large tank. Instead of going with these, there are some homemade remedies that also work just fine. Common bicarbonate of soda is effective at raising the pH, not to mention it’s very inexpensive. Epsom salts (i.e., magnesium sulfate) can be used to harden the water in lieu of calcium. And then you could also add aquarium salt (i.e., non-iodized salt) to provide trace elements and potassium. For every 5 gallons of water, add 1-tablespoon Epsom slats, 1-teaspoon baking soda, and 1-teaspoon aquarium salt. "

thanks for your time

doris

 

[Ashy_]

Will you have to acclimatise your fish gradually to the changes? My ph is neutral atm, im sure they wouldnt be happy if just jumped to 8. Also my lfs said all that isnt really important as they are tank bred species. I dont know who to trust, the lfs with their years of experience or the internet?

 

[dthoffsett]

While tank bred Lake Malawi species will adapt to lower PH levels, they thrive in hard water with a higher PH (7.8 - 8.2 is a good range). There is also some debate that those kept in a PH under 7.6 may make them prone to disease (I'd add links, but can't remember where I came across that).

I understand that a lot of people have had luck with the buffer recipe you copied (the cichlid-forum library is a great source of information), the only argument I could make for commercial buffers are that they include some trace minerals that could be beneficial. However, IMHO as long as you can provide plenty of clean hard water your cichlids will be just fine.

-Dawn

 

[doktor doris]

Just to keep you informed.

I did what the instructions suggested, but I only used a third of the reccomended doses.(I tasted my tank water and it doesn't taste at all like brine or brackish water)

It may be my imagination, but I think the fish are a little happier.

doris

But my Venustus is turing into a right piece of work!

All my other fish have found their own little safe places, my smallest orange zebra has made a little cave by digging away the substrate under a rock!

When venustus is being a nasty bugger they all retreat to their bolt holes!

Its amazing to watch. To think I wanted marine because I thought freshwater were boring!
How wrong I was. Rift cichlids fecking rock!

doris

 

[doktor doris]

Oh another thing, if there are any builders or architechts here.

I own a 2nd floor flat, built in 1986. The floors are 12inch thick concrete.

Is there a weight limit to the tanks I should own?

I have ssen an ex display tank that is 8 x2 x3 feet.

Would my home support that?

doris