eaist way to raist PH for African Ciclids ??

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illnastyimpreza

Registered Member
Dec 31, 2008
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I bought a High PH test kit, and my water doesn't even register...meaing its less than 7.4. What should I do to raise it?

Also, do COnvic ciclids and african ciclids like the same PH ? I have both (bought from Petco)
 
Fish actually do not care so much about pH. Its more about the total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water. The easiest way to measure that is through GH (general hardness). Usually a high pH corresponds with high GH and low pH the opposite, but it's not always the case as they aren't directly related.

Convicts and african cichlids (do you know what species?) are not good tankmates as they prefer different water, have different diets, and are not compatible when it comes to their personailty and temperament. Its recommended to choose either affrican cichlids or SA/CA, and go from there.

If you are planning on keep the africans you can raise the GH (get a test kit first) using crushed coral or even by adding limestone rock. A lot of africans have been bred so extensively in captivity that moderate hardness is enough to make them happy.

btw, what tank size are we talking about and did you cycle? and welcome to AC! :)
 
What about stability? Unless you're pushing the caco3 to precipitation levels, won't it cause a steady pH climb? If it's not precipitating, and water changes prevent max saturation, wouldn't it also cause pH jags? From what I'm getting from wikipedia, it seems the max level of caco3 in RO water would end up precipitating at 8.27 at 25c... yet LTK holds an 8.5-9.5 ph in simmilar temperatures.

Anyhow, I've had LTK buffer product reccomended to me before by some experienced aquarists. It might be worth looking in to, I'll probably end up reading up on the products my self.

I wish I had a chemistry degree right about now.
 
Philosophos said:
What about stability? Unless you're pushing the caco3 to precipitation levels, won't it cause a steady pH climb? If it's not precipitating, and water changes prevent max saturation, wouldn't it also cause pH jags? From what I'm getting from wikipedia, it seems the max level of caco3 in RO water would end up precipitating at 8.27 at 25c... yet LTK holds an 8.5-9.5 ph in simmilar temperatures.

Anyhow, I've had LTK buffer product reccomended to me before by some experienced aquarists. It might be worth looking in to, I'll probably end up reading up on the products my self.

I wish I had a chemistry degree right about now.
Click to expand...

I am unsure as to what you are saying Philo...are you talking about the stability of pH or KH here?
 
All of the above. caco3 creates kh and will up the ph too. When it hits a maximum density in water, it'll precipitate out thus maxing the amount that it can effect the kh and ph. This number depends on other minerals in the water, co2 levels and temperature.

If it isn't maxed out, it'll rise steadily until a water change interferes, thus causing pH and kh spikes I would think, and stress on the fish. On the other hand, if it hits max solubility, then the water added on changes can be preconditioned to match tank params more or less, with a bit of fluctuation due to temp difference.

Just a thought- I'm more or less looking for verification.
 
I honestly have no idea...LOL. Chemistry like this is above me at this point, I hope I can get a better understnading somewhere down the road.

But back on topic, the OP first should decide to go african or SA/CA. We need a tank size as well.
 
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