The $60,000 question: what are your parameters now? Many of us have water that is quite hard and/or alkaline, making it a snap to keep cichlids.
Even if you water is relatively acidic and soft, adding inexpensive, commonly found compounds (e.g., the baking soda and epsom salts mentioned by Raithan Ellis) can often modify your water cheaply and effectively. Sometimes, just a strategic choice of substrate materials (e.g, crushed coral, aragonite sand) can be enough, too.
We really need to know what your tap water's pH, KH and GH is after sitting out overnight. Then we can give you some very specific suggestions.
Jim