Importance of pH for SA cichlids?

[Empyreal]

Calcium (and other buffers) have the capacity to neutralize fish urine, alkalinity shows how much calcium and other buffers are available in your make up water to do that.
Because fresh water fish are constantly drinking and urinating, this is one of the major causes of deteriorating water quality, a high alkalinity helps prevent that, ie acidification.
Most people believe fish feces are the worst case scenario for aquariums, but I believe its the stuff you can't see, that's the biggest concern.

So basically since the water in my area is very hard, it contains a lot of minerals like Calcium which neutralize fish urine and is actually a good thing?

 

[duanes]

yep, especially Central American and African rift species.

So basically since the water in my area is very hard, it contains a lot of minerals like Calcium which neutralize fish urine and is actually a good thing?