Who Gives A Fish Forums

Hi all,

I've been doing some research on Mbuna tanks and I think they're really beautiful fish.

My problem is my tap water is quite soft and has a pH of 6.4-6.6. I've come across various products that can help raise the pH, and I've also heard that using limestone might be an option... but I'm not sure how well these methods work in the long run. Can you really maintain a stable pH with these methods, or are they just a temporary fix?

Thanks

I'd be happy to help you out with some limestone if you're ever in the Nottingham area again, I think it could really help you raise your pH levels.

bolt9x wrote: ↑Tue Feb 11, 2025 3:51 am I'd be happy to help you out with some limestone if you're ever in the Nottingham area again, I think it could really help you raise your pH levels.

I've been looking into it as well. Raising pH can be a challenge. I've read about using products, but I'm also interested in the limestone method. Does anyone know if this is a viable long-term solution?

You can also consider using calcium-based sand, it's specifically designed for African cichlids.

Using limestone, ocean rock, or coflake sand isn't going to raise your pH, it'll just buffer it so it doesn't crash. A stable pH is better than constant fluctuations in pH.

Calcium bicarbonate's pH level is actually at 8.2, which means it can indeed help raise the pH of your water.

lentoa wrote: ↑Tue Feb 11, 2025 8:02 am Using limestone, ocean rock, or coflake sand isn't going to raise your pH, it'll just buffer it so it doesn't crash. A stable pH is better than constant fluctuations in pH.

I think you're having a laugh. Limestone, ocean rock, coflake sand, they're all buffers, not pH raisers. I mean, a stable pH is way better than constant fluctuations, right?