freshwaterguy

Currently have 180L soon to be African Cichlid tank cycling. My tap water is PH6.5 my other tanks all show PH7.5 on Tetra color chart & have never been different - no spikes or drops.

My 180L also shows 7.5 although a couple of times I am sure it has shown slightly closer to 8.0 (darker blue on test card).

I have ocean rock and marine sand that should ensure a higher pH is maintained.

My questions are:-

1) used 'Tropic Marin Triple buffer' (for PH8.2-8.4) twice as per instructions & PH still appears 7.5 or slightly more & not 8.0. Should I do daily doses of Tropic Marin to achieve higher PH or continue weekly dose - instructions do say add daily if PH falls out of 8.2-8.4

Note GH\KH tests show that GH & KH are now more suitable for Cichlids using Hagen Nutrafin test kit.

2) When I come to do 10 or 20% W/C what is best way to up the PH of the new dechlorinated water to PH8 add Tropic Marin to new water and leave overnight with Aquasafe or dechlorinate & then add dose of Tropic Marin?

3) Will Africans do OK if I can only maintain an apparent PH of 7.5

Note I have also purchased a PH tester that runs on mains power for Cichlid tank so can quickly see any PH drops - while I have read mixed reviews on accuracy it constantly shows PH & an easy way to monitor without the expense of buying PH test kits more regularly. I will still test PH with the kit I have once a month or so to be safe :-)

clinton1621

If you use rocks like limestone or lava rock for decor in the tank along with some crushed coral, then you wont have to mess around with adding buffers (which isnt very safe or very stable). The rocks and coral will slowly release minerals and calcium into the water, which will naturally raise the GH, KH, and pH. This will also make it so you dont have to worry about doing anything to the tapwater before you put it in... also cichlids love lots of rock (which is why the water where they come from is hard to start with!).

Slug

To answer the title.....a stable one.

3. Yes.

I wouldn't use chemicals, just keep it stable.

Allie

Keep it stable, our 55g mbuna is only 7.5pH but it stays that way. In fact all our Malawi set ups were that pH and we have no trouble keeping them at all.
We have crushed coral and silica sand as substrate...use smooth rocks in the tank if you can. I have had some of Malawis scrape themselves up on the lava rock and other coarse texture rocks.

freshwaterguy

Thanks my LCD PH meter is indicating 7.81PH and Tetra test shows close to 8PH, so all is coming together ready for some Malawi Cichlids.

I will try to maintain a steady PH without addition of buffer.