Apistogramma borelli breeding and softening water?

[Stanzzzz7]

Here are the little sweethearts.

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Lovely little set up. They look great.

 

[justarn]

Thanks pal, a little messy but want some floating cover!-)

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Looks fine to me.
I would however add some caves.
Savu pods and the like. Smashed coconut shells are a cheap and make quite natural looking caves also.

 

[justarn]

Right, I will be adding this bag of peat pellets today, anyone wish to confirm I'm about right here?
Also it's water change day, would 50% be too much for these guys?

 

[Stanzzzz7]

If your trying to alter ph and hardness, I would keep your water changes small but regular.
You will be diluting the water that the peat, leaves, wood etc are slowly changing.
Your bioload should be low with your stock. I would only change 20% at a time.

 

[justarn]

Cheers Stan

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Cheers Stan

No problem.
I would add things like catappa leaves and peat in stages,don't just plonk the lot in straight away. That way any changes in water parameters will accumulate more slowly and give your fish time to acclimatise gradually to any drops.

 

[justarn]

They are doing ok, the male has really come out of his she. It's sweet to see such a tiny cichlid exhibit large cichlid behaviour. He comes up to greet me for food now

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Very nice mate and looking good.
I'm itching to get my hands on some Apistogramma.

 

[justarn]

Cheers pal it's one of my favourite tanks atm.
Have a couple of fish to move out then I might consider some nano schooling fish, any suggestions?