Tropical Fish Forums

[Akula]

Hi,

I have a 3 foot tank, 170litres, Strong canister filter, mildly planted, 60watt lights.

My pH is 7.4 Ammonia Nitrate etc is all at zero. I've had it for 3 years & the water is always crystal clear with regular partial water changes. There has been fish deaths over the years as I have neglected it a little due to new baby in the house. But I am now paying much more attention to find out if my tank & stocking fish are both healthy.

Current recent stocking is aiming for Lake Malawi Mnuba tank
2 young Electric Eels, 2 young Mainbanos, 1 Krib, 1 Brisstlenose Pleco.
Also 10 Neon Tetras leftover from earlier stocking.

Look I know the Netras should not be in an African tank, cause of differing pH & agression. So far so good though for the month, the cichlids tend to leave them alone.

OK my questions are as follows;
My pH is 7.4 I wanted to raise the pH to at least an 8. But from reading this site I'm having 2nd thoughts wether to play around with pH spikes lest it kill all my fish. My LFS said to me the afrikan could thrive in a pH range from 7.4 to 8.5 because of where they're bred. So after generation to generation of breeding in lower pH, LFS shop said they have adapted to Australian water conditions.
How true is that statement? SHould I leave my pH as it is so not to de-stable the water chemistry by raising pH too quick? I know I can use crushed coral or seashells or even baking soda.

What do you reccomend? The African cichlids seem very healthy & very active. One gets bullied but that's another topic! Do I raise pH to 8? Then that would mean the Neon Tetras would suffer. If I leave it as it is, all my fish community seem happy. Maybe as cichlids get bigger they may attack the Neons?

Yeah so basically my questions are regarding raising pH to make it a nicer environment for Lake Malawi Cichlids? Even though they seem very happy. And if I do raise pH, will I then need to get rid of the Tetras & PLeco?

Any helpful replies will greatly be appreciated!

Akula

[nikelodeon79]

This is the stocking you list in this thread:

[Akula]

Sorry about the typo - It's definately 2 Electric Yellows(Labs) NOT eels.

The Maingano's haven't killed any fish as they were only purchased along with the Labs few weeks ago. The Neon Tetras have been in there for a year. The fish deaths were only 2 or 3 fish about 6 months ago as I was neglecting the tank, doing water changes every few months maybe longer. As I said I was very busy with a baby in the house.

Like I said I know the Tetra's shouldn't be there & I will probably take them back but can't find any LFS who will buy them. The Maingano only picks on the other Maingano & the Krib chases a Lab every now & then.

Test kit is at home it's aqua-something I can't remember exactly I'm at work now. 6 bottles testing everything. Nitrate maybe wasn't zero but low - I meant to say zero as in normal but got mixed up.

[nikelodeon79]

I would see if you could get store credit, at least, for the labs, the krib, and the tetras, and you could try a colony of maingano if you have your heart set on them. You'll want LOTS of rockwork... lots of different territory and places to hide.
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