Water parameters for Lake Malawi

[SarahBravo]

I'm shortly hoping to get 2 yellow labs, 2 nyassae and 3 blue dolphins. My pH is about 8.75, but my KH is only 7.5. All my other fish, including neons, cardinals etc have done okay with the pH, so I think the cichlids will acclimatise fine, but I'm worried aobut the hardness.

Do you guys think the hardness (or softness) will be okay, and if not, how do I get it harder without putting up the pH?

Thanks

Sarah

 

[freddyk]

The water of lake Malawi is not hard, it's only commonly mistaken on the internet to be so. The GH of this lake ranges from about 0 to 5 deg. Not that it matters, as most of the fish sold from this lake are aquarium bred.
The KH is also not the same as general hardness - this is carbonate hardness - it affects the PH and its stability. Your water is absolutely fine the way it is.

 

[SarahBravo]

Whoooo-hooooo!! Thanks FreddyK. Cichlids here I come!

Sarah