neeed help

[scoutmaster022]

I have 2 tanks that are driving me crazy a 25 gallon goldfish tank and a 29 gal african ch tank.The problem is the water out of the tap has a very low Ph 5.0 and I have had to fight the ammonia leval as well there is 4 med goldfish in the 25 gal 6 chic. in the 29
I have used the petshop brand of ph lefters with no luck AmQuel+ many times and water changes as well ,what can I do next.. the filters are Penguein 1590Bio wheel ....
the 29 is heated to 82

 

[Newt]

I'm no expert on African Cichlids, so I can't tell you if your 29 is overstocked (some people crowd to reduce aggression), but to start with I'd get rid of 5 of the goldfish in the 25. One goldfish in a 25 is plenty. They are huge waste, and therefore ammonia, producers. Ammonia will drop your PH even lower. Is there ammonia in your tap water, too? I'm not clear on that.

I didn't think AmQuel+ raised PH, it's just another water conditioner to get rid of chlorine and stuff.

Anyways, I'm no expert, but try adding crushed argonite coral to your filters in a media bag. The coral will slowly raise your PH and KH (or is it GH? sorry, I'm tired.) Use limestone (Texas holey rock is good) or coral rock in the cichlid tank for decor along with the crushed coral in the filters. This is a safer and IMO better way to raise PH long term than messing with those buffers.

BTW, are your tanks cycled? How old are they and how big are the cichlids in the 29 and what kind of Africans are they (Malawi, Tanganyika, Victoria)? Are your fish showing any sign of ammonia poisoning?

 

[scoutmaster022]

Thank you for your help .. the tanks are 3 months old .The gold fish tank is my sick mothers tank I bought it for her and put it in her room so I can not get rid of them I will try a bigger filter and more wwater changes til i can aford a bigger tank lol