African Cichlid Questions

[Vitaliy]

I am starting a African Cichlid tank, was wondering which substrate should I go with: crushed coral or marine sand. Please consider which one the fish would prefer.

Is there anything else I should consider besides ~8.0PH? Any salt?

 

[piranha45]

pH= your tapwater's pH, be that 6.5 or 8.5. don't mess around with additives

no salt

any substrate finer than coarse gravel. fine sands prolly best.

 

[repair]

I like the larger gravel.... have you tested your water to see what your PH is?

I'm not big on trying to change the PH .... most of the cichlids can handle a wide range of PH.... I think it's more important to keep the PH stabile.

 

[thatfishguy]

therew an african mix that i see alot in that pet place, or if u do have low ph u can just do rushed coral an it bring its up nicely . my tap ph is 7.4 an with the crushed coral it went to 8.2 without anything

 

[Vitaliy]

Well my pH is low at about 6.5, I really do not want to introduce a fish into that when the environment they are suppose to be should be around 8.0-8.2. Also I am aware of the fact that African Cichlids love to play with sand, thus which is why I am leaning toward the sand.

What if I do get marine sand and get the pH to where it is suppose to be at, and simply do daily 5-10% water changes to keep both the water clean and not throw off pH?

 

[piranha45]

find out what pH your lfs has the african cichlids in. you could really hurt them if they're in pH 6.5 at the lfs, and you throw them in your ph 8 tank

consider whether you would prefer to let your fish live in a reportedly "unsuitable" ph, or whether you'd let them soak in nitrates. i dont think a 10% waterchange does jack ****, even if it is daily.

as for what pH malawi cichlids live in, see here
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/spe...3&genusname=Melanochromis&speciesname=auratus

ill take the word of fishbase on water parameters long before ill ever take the word of some site run by your average "hobbyist"



also take a look at this thread:
http://www.piranha-fury.com/pfury/index.php?showtopic=67979
the users polypterus and acestro are zoologists with their strength in ichthyology

 

[jenBLKAROWANA]

There is a CICHILD SAND out there....it's called ECO-COMPLETE AFRICAN CICHLID SUBSTRATE.....It by CaribSea. It contains aragonite to help maintain the high PH that africans need without having to add chemicals. Also adds calcium, magnesium, and carbonate. Its a really good substrate for africans...Its also a darker color,a black & white mix, it helps to enhance the colors of the fish. I have used this product in the past and had really great results with it. You do not need to rinse it either! Its packed in a live water -purifying bacteria.

Jen

 

[Vitaliy]

find out what pH your lfs has the african cichlids in. you could really hurt them if they're in pH 6.5 at the lfs, and you throw them in your ph 8 tank

consider whether you would prefer to let your fish live in a reportedly "unsuitable" ph, or whether you'd let them soak in nitrates. i dont think a 10% waterchange does jack ****, even if it is daily.

as for what pH malawi cichlids live in, see here
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/spe...3&genusname=Melanochromis&speciesname=auratus

ill take the word of fishbase on water parameters long before ill ever take the word of some site run by your average "hobbyist"



also take a look at this thread:
http://www.piranha-fury.com/pfury/index.php?showtopic=67979
the users polypterus and acestro are zoologists with their strength in ichthyology

It is very true that most fish that we have today are not wild caught and are mainly breed in captivity thus they are used to a completely different pH.

From all the fish stores in my area, this is the only store that has only a few freshwater tanks and mainly specializes in African Cichlids and Saltware, they like to do everything right and they maintain 8.2 on the African tanks. But then again, how can I be sure? Ill try to see if the guy will do a PH test in front of me.. (But wouldnt crushed coral and marine sand automatically make the pH that high?)

How is 70% water change a week any different from changing 10% daily?

I would love to keep them at my tap-water pH, by far easier for me. BUT I would prefer to do things right, not adjust or cut corners. If I have to I will have no problem filling up a rubber-maid with crushed coral and holding water there for a day or two before doing a water change.

Tangs are my favorite cichlids. I have kept aboout 20 different species so far and have kept them in a variety of pH. 7.5-8.8. I currently keep them all at 8.8. None have ever died on me or gotten sick. What I can say is though that their behavior seems to change with the more basic pH. Especially with the black calvus I have. They are much more active and "playful" in the higher pH. The calvus, along with many others were always hiding and quite skittish and shy with the lower pH. The tank was the same, decor and filtration. I did move though and switched from city water to well water which bumped the hardness a good 10. Anyway one case senario here. thats all.

That same website...

 

[Vitaliy]

There is a CICHILD SAND out there....it's called ECO-COMPLETE AFRICAN CICHLID SUBSTRATE.....It by CaribSea. It contains aragonite to help maintain the high PH that africans need without having to add chemicals. Also adds calcium, magnesium, and carbonate. Its a really good substrate for africans...Its also a darker color,a black & white mix, it helps to enhance the colors of the fish. I have used this product in the past and had really great results with it. You do not need to rinse it either! Its packed in a live water -purifying bacteria.

Jen

Damn, that just sounds great. You know any online place that sells it? I dont even want to know the price tag on that stuff considering how much regular sand cost.

 

[GypoCichlid]

Crushed coral/shells will only buffer your pH to about 8...You can make your own additive to raise the pH of your tap water by mixing 1 tablespoon of Epsom Salts(magnesium sulfate) with 1 teaspoon bi-carb soda to every 5 American Gal (20 litres)

This will never put your pH above 8.2 which is perfect for most African species expect Polleni and Kribensis...They prefer a slighlty lower pH

Aquarium Salt is also a good way of buffering pH as well as a preventative against disease...

Hope that helps...