African Cichlids

[shookONES]

Alright so I've been thinking of what to do with my old 50g. A grow-out was feasible, but boring. Piranhas were also considered, but they too, are boring. I think I'm going to keep African Cichlids. My question is, what special measures must I take to keep the water in check? I plan on using play sand, so crushed coral to raise the pH is out of the question. I'm also not keen on using buffers to alter parameters, so they are out as well. I've read that Lace rock raises pH nicely, so is that something I should look into? Filtration is via an Eheim 2217, btw.

 

[mike dunagan]

tuffa rock is something you can add as well. It will buffer well and is inexpensive...

 

[piranha45]

unless the water in your area has remarkably low hardness (which could lead to huge ph swings as the water is dirtied by the fish), I wouldn't worry about water parameters at all. some people make a huge fuss about rift lake cichlids and their 'natural' water parameters, but I've found such fuss to be wholly unwarranted.

 

[gomezladdams]

Most mbuna are hardy enough not to have to worry too much about buffers.
texas holey rock.limestone,or coral decorations will keep the hardness up enough for the fish to show good color,unless your water is really soft and acidic.
you could make sort of an inline filter filled with crushed coral for your waterchanges too,or put some in a nylon bag in your filter

 

[Angler]

Make sure you spend a LONG time rinsing the playsand. Even after you rinse it for ever, your water will be cloudy for a little while. I know you are using an Eheim, but fyi if you ever try an HOB, the sand will kill it. Also, the playsand will make a powerhead very noisy.

Have you looked into another kind of sand such as pool filter sand? This stuff is easier to prepare for the tank, and it is heavier so it is easier to clean.

 

[id10t]

Pool filter sand rocks... much heavier. In fact, I added about 5 lbs of it to my tank yesterday (after laying down some eggcrate, etc) and the water didn't even get cloudy...

Helps to have water in the tank already, and have the sand wet. Then scoop the sand with a cup, etc. and slowly pour it out over the bottom, maybe 3 or 4 inches up...

 

[fish head )'>]

pool filter crushed quartz (sand) + African cichlids = awesome.
You will b glad you did Africans. I thank God everyday when Burne (at the LFS) talked me into cichlids.

 

[AnDr3w]

Just put coral and in the eheim. Works as bio media and a buffer. 2 for 1 value.