Is a ph level of 7.6 suitable for keeping farm-raised african cichlids?

[dirtys]

I'm considering keeping farm-raised African cichlids and I'm wondering if my tap water's pH level of 7.6 is suitable.

[coltin]

For locally bred cichlids from Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria, a pH of 7.6 should be fine, but you'll need to ensure your water has a GH above 200ppm.

On the other hand, if you're looking at locally bred cichlids from Lake Tanganyika, they typically require a slightly higher pH, above 8.0, and a GH above 300ppm.

[dirtys]

I'm wondering if water hardness has the same sensitivity as pH levels. I know pH can be pretty touchy and cause shock if not done right. But with hardness, is it more flexible - as in, can I get away with lower levels initially and then bring it up after a water change? Or is it not recommended to make big changes like that with hardness? And actually, is it even possible to increase water hardness effectively?

[coltin]

Changes in water hardness, or GH, aren't as stressful for the fish as pH fluctuations, but they still have an impact. To minimize stress, it's best to adjust the GH over a period of time, such as a couple of weeks. A good approach is to do regular, small water changes - about 10-20% - using water that's either harder or softer than your current water. By doing a small water change every few days, you can gradually change the GH at a safe rate.

If you need to raise the GH, you can add minerals like calcium chloride and magnesium chloride to the water. Products like Rift Lake water conditioners contain these minerals, and you can use them to make harder water. Simply add the conditioner to a container of water, aerate it for at least 30 minutes to ensure the minerals are fully dissolved, and then use this water for your water changes.

[boomer]

I'd like to build on the previous points, but I think it's essential to know the GH of your tap water. Additionally, it would be helpful to know the KH, or Alkalinity, as this can act as a buffer for the pH.

[dirtys]

My GH is 143.2, unfortunately I couldn't find my KH test kit and the water report doesn't mention it.

I usually fill up a large plastic tub for water changes, adding Prime before using it. If I add a water hardener to the tub, would that be suitable for my African Cichlids?

[boomer]

I'm considering keeping farm-raised African cichlids and I'm wondering if my tap water's pH level of 7.6 is suitable.

I think it would be a good idea to get in touch with your water authority to confirm the GH and also find out the KH/Alkalinity, just to be certain about what you're working with. Before you start pre-mixing water, it's probably a good idea to know exactly what you're starting with.

Using Rift Lake mineflake salts can be a good option, and preparing the water before adding it is a good way to go. If I were setting up a Rift Lake cichlid tank, I'd consider using a calcareous sand substrate - Carrib-Sea make one specifically for Rift Lakes, but any sand made from aragonite would do the job.

[dirtys]

I just got off the phone with them and they told me to check the website for the water report. I went to the site and found the report, but I'm still having trouble finding the GH and KH info. The report is on this page: https://www.lakewoodmua.com/images/db/4 ... mments.pdf. Still can't seem to find what I'm looking for.

[boomer]

I'm considering keeping farm-raised African cichlids and I'm wondering if my tap water's pH level of 7.6 is suitable.

They're super helpful, aren't they. I mean, who needs info on water parameters for fish when you've got data on contaminants for humans.

[dirtys]

So I was right about the report.

I'm thinking of taking some water samples from different taps over a few days, would that give me a more accurate idea of my water parameters?