High Ammonia & Nitrites. Filter?
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I would start with 25%. If you had a way to test the water that would be ideal. For the moment, with your present circumstances I would change 25% to 35% now, and every day until you get a Master Test kit. I recycled a kitty liter bucket to put water back in the tank and another larger kitty litter bucket to capture the water I drain from my small tanks. I used a one gallon water jug to measure the bucket I use for filling. Add one gallon and mark the outside of the bucket with a permant marker, add another gallon on top of that and make another mark. I can add the amount of water I need by filling to the marks and know how much water I took out and put back. I find it useful for measuring the amount of dechlorinator I need to add before adding water back to my tanks.
Bryan
Bryan
my tap water has no clorine and the ph is around 6. ill do the 25% water change and wont add the ph powder and wont put the salt in and i will take out the ammo carb. shoot man i feel like taken all this crap back the the lfs sold me. its like $30. retards. wish me luck. the test kit that someone posted is this a good one. if so im going to get it. thanks a bunch
That link is to the same test kit I use. I recommend it.
I don't know much about Cichlids except they need a higher ph than you have from your tap. I never tried to change the ph of my tanks since it can cause big problems if not done correctly. I'm sure there are people who have done it. You should check with some of the experts in the Cichlid forums African Cichlids or New World Cichlids.
HTH
Bryan
I don't know much about Cichlids except they need a higher ph than you have from your tap. I never tried to change the ph of my tanks since it can cause big problems if not done correctly. I'm sure there are people who have done it. You should check with some of the experts in the Cichlid forums African Cichlids or New World Cichlids.
HTH
Bryan
Since you have cichlids and your tap pH is 6, I would suggest changing your substrate to one of the substrate products made specifically for cichlid tanks. they have crushed coral or similar material that will raise the pH naturally and keep it there.
modernhamlet
Just this guy...
I keep mbuna like the ones you have, bloodline.
I'm normally not a fan of major pH adjustments, but that's really low for them. In the wild, they live at pH 8.2 or so and even though you probably have tank raised ones, they're still not going to be physiologically comfortable in acidic water. As rdd1952 says, get yourself some limestone rocks or some aragonite sand for the tank, or just add some crushed limestone or coral in a fabric bag (or pantyhose) to the filter. That will help buffer the water.
I regularly perform 50% water changes with these fish, including tiny fry. The only difference I notice afterward is that they're more active due to the highly oxygenated water. Mbuna are hardy and resilient fish.
Granted, you'd need to slowly adjust it up, but once you'd done so, you can add baking soda (which costs next to nothing) every water change to keep your water stable and at 8.2, 1 tsp/5 gallons. That's what I do at least...
Just some thoughts...
I'm normally not a fan of major pH adjustments, but that's really low for them. In the wild, they live at pH 8.2 or so and even though you probably have tank raised ones, they're still not going to be physiologically comfortable in acidic water. As rdd1952 says, get yourself some limestone rocks or some aragonite sand for the tank, or just add some crushed limestone or coral in a fabric bag (or pantyhose) to the filter. That will help buffer the water.
I regularly perform 50% water changes with these fish, including tiny fry. The only difference I notice afterward is that they're more active due to the highly oxygenated water. Mbuna are hardy and resilient fish.
Granted, you'd need to slowly adjust it up, but once you'd done so, you can add baking soda (which costs next to nothing) every water change to keep your water stable and at 8.2, 1 tsp/5 gallons. That's what I do at least...
Just some thoughts...
I wanted to change the substrate to sand. is there sand that will raise the ph? If so do you know of a way to change it with the fish in the tank. I dont have anoter tank they can stay in while a change it. Ive read the post about sand. What substrate do you have in your mbuna tank modernhamlet. Yeah i know what you mean by changing the water and they get more active. They started fighting with each other and I woke up to a dead electric yellow. I think since i took all the other fish back there getting more mean towards each other. Also can how many fish should I put in the tank and should I wait till the tank is cycled. Im afraid that I wont have any fish but one buy the time the tank is cycled.
Where did everyone go?. Did you guys leave me? Well im going to change to sand. Im going to get beach sand. i was going to get a 5 gallon bucket full. will that be anuff. I heard that the beach sand will keep my ph right where i want it. I need to know how long I should wait and how long I need to wait. thanks
I don't know about "beach sand". You can buy play sand very inexpensively. I haven't responded since I don't raise cichlids. You should put the questions in the right fourm. There are several people there who can answer your questions about cichlids and how to get the ph correct.
Bryan
Bryan
I wouldn't go changing substrates unless the tank has cycled, and has been running for some time after that. A portion of the nitrifying bacteria reside in the substrate, By changing it at this point, you will more than likely sent your tank into a mini cycle.
Beach sand won't do anything to change or stabilize your pH. If you want to change pH, the safest way is to go with ro water, & reconstitute to the desired parameters.
Cycling tanks are known to have pH swings, the best thing to do is water changes until it has finished cycling. If you wait for a good month after that, then change substrates, you will have better success.
Aquatics requires patience, sometimes that can be the most difficult part.
Tolak
Beach sand won't do anything to change or stabilize your pH. If you want to change pH, the safest way is to go with ro water, & reconstitute to the desired parameters.
Cycling tanks are known to have pH swings, the best thing to do is water changes until it has finished cycling. If you wait for a good month after that, then change substrates, you will have better success.
Aquatics requires patience, sometimes that can be the most difficult part.
Tolak
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