newbie cichlid question Mbunas

[vequalsir]

I'm starting my first cichlid tank. I'm planning on stocking mbuna's in the tank. I filled and rock scaped the tank this weekend.

I have crushed coral substrate, but have not done anything yet to raise my ph. Right now it's at about 7.5.

What level would be best? What is the most cost effective way to get the tank up there?

Are yellow labs a good fish to cycle with?

[blue2fyre]

I think your Ph is fine and I wouldn't mess with it. As far as the labs i think a fishless cyce would be a better option than cycling with fish. Labs are tough but I doubt they would survive the cycle

[excuzzzeme]

I think your Ph is fine and I wouldn't mess with it. As far as the labs i think a fishless cyce would be a better option than cycling with fish. Labs are tough but I doubt they would survive the cycle

I have to agree that a fish cycle is not a wise move. As far as Ph goes, my labs are in 6.8 and I am on my 6th spawn. My water is the same as the LFS and if they can keep fish alive and healthy in 6.4-6.8 I can too. It all depends what they are acclimated to.

If it ain't broke don't try to fix it.

[vequalsir]

Thanks for the guidelines on the ph. I was really worried about having water largely different from the store.

Secondly, I guess I'll be doing a fishless cycle.

[Coler]

Yep mbuna are tough lil guys but severely intolerant of poor nitrogen cycle management (any ammonia, nitrite or excess nitrates) so go fishless - or if you've got access to filter media and substrate from a nice clean established tank kick start it those.

My mbuna breed in Ph 7.4, medium-hard water - so yours is fine, no need to mess with it, and will cause more probs than its worth if you do.

How big is your tank ?

[AfroCichlid]

If you're concerned about pH and hardness, add limestone or crushed coral to your setup.

[Coler]

I would definitely agree with afro that those are good choices for a rift lake tank generally, as a safe buffer to keep your Ph up.