cichlid tank paramiters

[4wheelin]

hey everyone i have a 25 gal with a few cichlids in it and was wondering what the best water params. is for these guys iv been reading around on the forums and havent really got a good answer so maybe yall can help im sitting at about

0 - NO3
0 - NO2
300 - hardness
alkalinity - 300
PH - 7.8 - 8.4

im thinking it is to high for my little guys but could be wrong if so can u give me some ideas to lower or raise the lavels thanks

 

[mike dunagan]

your ph is a wide range... It should be a steady number no range

 

[4wheelin]

well the tester i have looks to be between those two numbers its hard to tell what its at. I just ran to the store and picked up a test kit for just ph and its showing about 7.5 is that good?

 

[4wheelin]

by the way LOVE the signature mike haha

 

[mike dunagan]

I prefer it to be higher, but steady is key...

 

[4wheelin]

so what should i do to raise it?

 

[ibr3ak]

You should be fine with those parameters, just keep the ph at a steady level, either make sure that your current test always reads the same or get another test that'll give you a more precise reading.

 

[Marius]

so what should i do to raise it?

To keep it at a constant level put in 5lbs of aragonite sand (fine, not coarse). That will give the needed pH and gH for African cichlids. No more fluctuations after that.

 

[4wheelin]

ok cool thank you every one so much but seriously 5lbs? its only a 25 gallon that wont shock my fish will it?

 

[Marius]

ok cool thank you every one so much but seriously 5lbs? its only a 25 gallon that wont shock my fish will it?

No it won't. Remove the other substrate that you have, otherwise you'll end up with too much.