What are the parameters for cichlid tanks , ex- hardness , pH , nitrate, nitrite and others , this is not my account it's my friends but please help me
Water parameters for south American cichlids
- Thread starter Frostyy White Saum
- Start date
pH should be from 7-8 but most importantly it should be kept constant. Nitrates and nitrites should always read 0 and nitrates should be kept no higher than 5-10 ppm with weekly water changes. Temperature can be anywhere from 70-85 F...I keep my tanks around 80-82.
pH 8 is a bit high for some South American species. It really depends on the location they come from and whether you're keeping a wild fish versus a fish that's been tankbred for several generations.
Some of the southern countries like Uruguay are cooler and so fish like Gymnogeophagus and Crenicichla that come from that region need a cool-down period. Other fish, like discus, uaru, and rams, require warm water. The hardness and pH varies all over the country.
What species are you interested in?
Some of the southern countries like Uruguay are cooler and so fish like Gymnogeophagus and Crenicichla that come from that region need a cool-down period. Other fish, like discus, uaru, and rams, require warm water. The hardness and pH varies all over the country.
What species are you interested in?
I agree, those are CA. Ph is slightly higher then the PH for Sout American cichlids, the best would be 7,5-8. But it's better to keep a stable ph even if that ph is for example 7.Frostyy White Saum;4956866; said:
CA cichlids generally come from harder water with a higher Ph than SA cichlids. However this is not a major issue in tank raised as compaired with wild cought fish. Amonia & Nitrites should always be 0, Nitrates between 10 - 20 PPM is acceptable however the lower the better. Weekly 50% water changes and good general maintance should take care of that. A stable Ph is far more important than trying to hit a specific number, as an example if your tap water is 6.8 or 7.2 or 7.6 don't try to adjust it, do your weekly water changes and maintane a stable environment. Clean water is the best way to keep your fish happy and healthy.
South America is a really big place. It's impossible to answer your question accurately without more specifics.
Matt
Matt