Ph

[Treadwell]

Currently i have a 5'x2'x2' tank with large cichlids which i am looking to rehome and start again with some community fish. Mainly Barbs. My question is that i have some extra large 'spaghetti rocks' in my tank and when i bought it i was told it would raise the pH of my tank. I was told this would be fine with my larger new world cichlids and i was wondering will it have to be removed when i restock my tank with much smaller and less hardier community fish? Thanks.

 

[Steve H.]

You want a higher pH for "old world cichlids" ...Africans like pH in the 8's.

New world...South Americans tend to like lower pH in the 6's.



A stable pH is overall more important than the number

 

[Lateral Line]

Not all African cichlids are rift valley fish...

Barbs generally do best in soft acidic water.