Aquatopia Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 Hi, I am trying to get to grips with "pH" vs "Hardness" vs "buffering", so that I get my african cichlid tank right. I understand there are types of rock/substrate that will increase the pH. I think that in combination, certain types of rock/substrate will increase hardness. I also think that hardness acts as a buffer to reduce fluctuations in pH. Am I on the right tracks there ? Which combinations do I need ? (I have chosen a dark grey crushed limestone for substrate which is great - its particles are smaller than coral sand but bigger than play sand). Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 lol you signed off saying what do you NEED.. Some would argue that you don't need anything and your fish will adjust as they are so far removed from nature it doesn't matter but we won't go down that road There are plenty of articles here that are pretty detailed and long winded.. http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/c ... y_list.php This is a very good one http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/w ... mistry.php I just have some coral sand or limestone in each tank and that seems to keep the ph stable, my water is pretty hard from the tap so I am fairly lucky. I think as long as you add something to buffer your water you should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted April 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 I was hoping to avoid long winded articles but will have a gander anyway. Thanks. If anyone else wants to contribute I'd still be keen to hear what others are doing too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elusive_fish Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 I was hoping to avoid long winded articles but will have a gander anyway. Thanks. If anyone else wants to contribute I'd still be keen to hear what others are doing too. I was going to reply, but that second article isn't really that long winded or technical... maybe try giving it a read? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted April 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 I was going to reply, but that second article isn't really that long winded or technical... maybe try giving it a read? Have done now thanks, would still like to translate it into what people actually use though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 I have coral rock in all my African tanks. I seldom test the water in my mature tanks but I tested the water in my main display for this reply. pH is 7.8 and assuming I've done the test right GH 160 and KH 80. I last did a water change two days ago. It'll be interesting to test it again before the next water change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted April 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 I have coral rock in all my African tanks. I seldom test the water in my mature tanks but I tested the water in my main display for this reply. pH is 7.8 and assuming I've done the test right GH 160 and KH 80. I last did a water change two days ago. It'll be interesting to test it again before the next water change. what do u mean by coral rock ? what substrate have u got ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 It's dead coral. My substrate is a 'Fruit salad' gravel mix with coral sand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 nice tank mark! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted April 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 marklb - ahh, i know it as live rock - yes i can see how that would work well - tank looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 Cheers ppl 8) The tank has been re arranged since that pic was taken. It has less rock because I've used some in other tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted April 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 Cheers ppl 8) The tank has been re arranged since that pic was taken. It has less rock because I've used some in other tanks. How have you found the rock MarkLB ? I have read that african cichlids are used to smooth rocks with an algal coating and marine rock can be quite sharp sometimes. No issues with damaged mouths or bodies ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 Yeah, I've noticed a couple of injuries over the years but it's rare. I've dealt with two eye injuries which healed up fine with a bit of TLC, but it's mostly just a scale or two off. It can happen when they get a spook and bolt for cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted April 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 Yeah, I've noticed a couple of injuries over the years but it's rare. I've dealt with two eye injuries which healed up fine with a bit of TLC, but it's mostly just a scale or two off. It can happen when they get a spook and bolt for cover. Fair enough - that sounds like nothing much to worry about. I have actually wondered about using hammered up marine rock as a filter media actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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