african cichlid problem,need help !!!!

[TheCichlidMan]

Hi everbody ! my small female melanochromis auratus is scratching on the stones and on sand and i don't what does she has as she done that pretty much in the last time....any answers are very helpful

 

[Gruntking]

What is your ph and water hardness? Sometimes they do this because your ph is too low.

 

[TheCichlidMan]

i don't know , i don't have a ph tester ....what can i do to find out my water parameters ?

 

[Gruntking]

You would need to buy a ph tester. I would recommend buying a mater test kit, its usually around $25-35 but it will last you months and will let you check all of your major water parameters.

 

[TheCichlidMan]

if i find one at my pet shop i will buy one

 

[TheCichlidMan]

but if the ph is pretty low for the mbuna ....how can i make it higher ?

 

[TheCichlidMan]

as i am planning to buy some haplochromis and i want to make my ph perfect for the haplochromis

 

[Gruntking]

PH of around 8.2 is ideal for africans

 

[Gruntking]

They sell chemicals to make your ph go up

 

[TheCichlidMan]

lets hope that i will find a water tester and buy one