I recommend you do at least some basic research before making claims like this. Because if you had, you would notice that actually, "Baking soda, Table salt and Epsom salt" are nothing like what "Those expensive LFS additives" are. You claim to match the water to the fish, yet have no understanding of the chemistry involved. For example if we look at Seachem's Cichlid Lake Salt, they don't refer to common table salt (sodium chloride). They are in fact referring to mineral salts. Here is what is actually in Seachem's Cichlid Lake Salt:
Calcium (min) 3.24 %
Calcium (max) 3.50 %
Magnesium (min) 11.83 %
Potassium (min) 10.08 %
Sodium (min) 3.53 %
Sodium (max) 3.75 %
Aluminum (min) 0.90 mg
Iodine (min) 0.02 mg
Iron (min) 0.20 mg
Amounts per 1 gram.
Ingredients: magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium sulfate, sodium chloride, aluminum sulfate, iron sulfate, potassium iodide,
You'll notice, there is no "common table salt (sodium chloride)" in Cichlid Lake Salt. If you do a little more research, you'll see that Seachem actually flew to Africa and analyzed the mineral content of all three lakes. This is how they came up with the formulation of their salt. And if you use Cichlid Lake Salt, African Cichlid Buffer & Cichlid Trace according to the instructions, you will actually have the closest possible match to their natural environment.
Also it doesn't matter if fish are wild caught or not, these animals have grown and evolved in their natural environment for a very long time. Their DNA is not going to change just because they are captive bread and raised. They still require a similar environment to thrive. And as hobbyists and caretakers, it is our responsibility to provide the best environment possible to these animals.
I suggest reading these articles. I found them very well written and informative:
The_Art_and_Science_of_Aquarium_Management
African_Cichlids
I can tell you from experience. 85% of customers that I sell the line too, come back 1-2 weeks later raving about how much better the Cichlid's look and behave.
Do us, your fish and yourself a favor - try the program, the entire program (Cichlid Buffer, Cichlid Trace and Cichlid Lake Salt). Just for two weeks. Then post back here what you find. Watch and look at your fish now, do a large water change and start dosing according to the instructions. And after two weeks compare their behavior and coloration. then post back and let us know what you think.
Another tip, try Dainichi's Cichlid food. Most cheap fish foods are like Ol Roy - It slowly starves your dog of nutrition. Same with fish food. Your fish are what they eat. You'll have less waste in the aquarium because the fish digest more of it, which means less goes out the rear, which in turn means less maintenance and higher quality water.
Sorry the post is so long - Hope it helps.
--Mike
yuck
