Hard Water Apistos

[DevonElijah]

I'm interested in starting a dwarf cichlid tank, and am currently cycling a 30 gallon. I really like the Apistos, but my water is moderately hard out of the tap, and an RO unit is not in my plans. I know central American and African cichlids take to hard water, but I'm not that fond of them; and plus, my tank is planted. Is it true that A. borelli and A. cacatuoides can thrive in somewhat hard water? And what other options do I have?

Thanks for reading.

[Jayhawk]

Those two will be fine in moderately hard, above 7.0 pH. What are your GH, KH & pH?

L. curviceps (flag cichlid), M. altispinosa (bolivian ram) and N. anomola will also do well in the same water.

Eric