How important is PH?

I wouldn't do anything with the pH, now if she got fat right before she died, I got a few questions for you. First did it look like her eyes were bulged out a little bit? also If you looked at her from above or as she was swimming away did it look like her scales were pushed out, kinda like the scales of a pine cone? If you had her for two weeks, and she was active, I'm willing to say it wasn't the pH. Convicts are one of the toughest fish around and can take almost anything, I heard a really accurate saying that to breed convicts all you had to do was add water and then add fish. Here's a couple more questions, How long has the tank been set up, and have you checked your Ammonia and Nitrite levels?
 
There are a vatiety of ways to manipulate water parameters, but they all require careful monitoring. I agree with Leopardess--it is something you need to monitor and take into account for introductions, but otherwise it's best to leave it alone.

I doubt it killed the cichlid. pH shock is very real, but it is a quick killer, not something that would kill the fish 2 weeks after introduction.
 
thanks everyone, I will leave the ph off the charts. The other fish act quite happy. NOw that YOu have told me it will not hurt them, I will leave it alone.
 
Welcome:) I assume you meant to post this on your other thread, but posted here because this is where I linked you:)
 
Honestly?!??? I have NEVER tested PH for the two years I have had my tanks and have never had an issue.... I have one Ammonia sensor in each tank that tells me if the tank is OK on ammonia levels, but that's it!
Good luck!
 
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