Super Red Monkey. Seeking advice

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
will you recommend larger water changes or small frequent water change for SRM?
For my tank setup (with overhead filter) and feeding, I do large water change (90%) once a week for my kamfa, so far so good for my kamfas and SRM. I do know of some breeder doing 90% water change daily for their competition fishes. Their fishes grow real fast and nice (this is possible if your water source parameters are consistent).
I always keep track of my water parameters, whenever I notices any differences in my fishes like turning pale or shrinking kok, I'll test for the water parameters and try to bring the water parameters back to as close as before the changes. Assuming the tank is cycled, most of the time the culprit is either the PH or the temperature.
If the water source parameters is not consistent, you can do small frequent water change, never drag more than 2 weeks for water change as nitrogen cycle activities reduce PH and the nitrate will start building up.
 
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For Flowerhorns between Ph 7.5 to 8.2. (Mine is always at the higher side of PH 8.2 due to my tap water source here). Once you obtain between this PH, try to maintain it. You can add coral chips or oyster shells to buffer the PH. I see you have coral chips in your tank, but that amount is too little.
How would i get my PH that high? Crushed Coral?
 
How would i get my PH that high? Crushed Coral?
Yes, you can add coral chips. My Tap water PH is already around 8 to 8.2 most of the time. I put around 500g of coral chips for a 50 gallon tank is just nice for me to buffer the PH to always remain at 8.2. You need to measure the PH to make sure it does not exceed 8.2 as well after adding the coral chips. Last i put 1kg of coral chips thinking more is good for my 50 gallon, the PH increases till 8.5, my kamfa head keep shrinking and colour fading until I reduce the Coral chips to 500g and did a 90% water change to bring the PH back to around the 8 to 8.2 range. I find that long as your PH is between 7.5 to 8.2 and don't keep fluctuating, flowerhorn will look at their best.
 
Yes, you can add coral chips. My Tap water PH is already around 8 to 8.2 most of the time. I put around 500g of coral chips for a 50 gallon tank is just nice for me to buffer the PH to always remain at 8.2. You need to measure the PH to make sure it does not exceed 8.2 as well after adding the coral chips. Last i put 1kg of coral chips thinking more is good for my 50 gallon, the PH increases till 8.5, my kamfa head keep shrinking and colour fading until I reduce the Coral chips to 500g and did a 90% water change to bring the PH back to around the 8 to 8.2 range. I find that long as your PH is between 7.5 to 8.2 and don't keep fluctuating, flowerhorn will look at their best.
It's easy to notice if there's something wrong with the water quality if your flowerhorns have kok. Their head will soften or shrink. Once you adjust to the correct parameters, you can see that their kok will harden or slight increase in sizes.
 
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