As can be seen in another thread I posted I will be stocking a 6 foot tank soon. I really want to try my hand at SA cichlids; however, my tap water is probably close to Malawi/Tangyanika lol. I live in an apt complex so having a decent RODI system is not very probable. I woudn't be getting WC fish, but if this tap water chemistry would somehow be detrimental to them I might stick with my option B or C...which is going with a C.Gibberosa Colony or some of the larger Malawi Haps Venustus, Borleyi, Rhoadesii,....or maybe try a Petro tank. Anyways, my first option would be a SA tank since I have had all sort of African setups before...anyways if somebody can chime in...I want to make an informed decision.
Hard high ph tap water on SA cichlids
- Thread starter Wharf
- Start date
The GT, Severums,Silver Dollar, Pimelodus or Pictus are very doable in high ph water not sure about Uaru but know some Geophagus species are very prone to HITH in hard water.
How high is your pH and hardness? Ime some SA species have a higher range of comfort/tolerance than others. As mentioned, GTs come from harder water. pH around 8 or so works for a lot of SA, especially tank raised, whitewater species, etc., but mid or upper 8s pH could be taxing for some on your list, or vary depending on the particular species.
For example, I once goofed up somehow and pH got well into the 8s in a tank with red head geos and guianacara. The red head geos thought nothing of it, but it took a toll on the guianacara.
For example, I once goofed up somehow and pH got well into the 8s in a tank with red head geos and guianacara. The red head geos thought nothing of it, but it took a toll on the guianacara.
