phoenix44 Posted May 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 what is the pH in your tank? pH is presently doing some rising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel Posted May 27, 2009 Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 all our african tanks usually sit at around 7.5ish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 is it all that cement stuff in the tank that helps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel Posted May 27, 2009 Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 yea i think it is, concrete is a good buffer (cheaper than coral too) The bricks we got were from placemakers, you can get different sizes can't quite remember how much we paid but wasn't that much couple of bucks for each brick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 ive got some lying outside the house. now to find that hammer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel Posted May 27, 2009 Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 ive got some lying outside the house. now to find that hammer. not your footpath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted May 27, 2009 Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 ive got some lying outside the house. now to find that hammer. beware - some people have used concrete and lost all their fish. there are MUCH better solutions than concrete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel Posted May 27, 2009 Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 beware - some people have used concrete and lost all their fish. there are MUCH better solutions than concrete. I remember afew weeks ago someone posted on here about losing all there fish, with concrete blocks they'd just put in :-? We've had our bricks in for quite some time and had no problems, I guess you wouldn't want to risk it though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel Posted May 27, 2009 Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 OOH I just had a thought At that landscaping place you got the schist from they have limestone chips, we brought a bag awile back for a tank - that maybe a good buffer? I think it was only like $5 for a big bag of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 yes. thought that about the concrete. tested the pH according to weight of concrete to amount of water. I want the pH to be about 7 and then i shall tinker with it if i have to, but to be honest as long as they stay alive i am satisfied. PS- it was not my pavement. landlords practically own the street here, as they are builders, lots of building stuff found here... lol... i used a rock like a caveman to get my concrete in good size pieces. it should make great media too lol :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreams Posted May 27, 2009 Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 i agree, i wouldnt use concrete either, unless your are certain that it isnt leaching poisonous chemicals into the water :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 lol 5.5 Thats very low, however the fish do look happy and you would easily be able to tell if they were stressed, you know how I feel about this so I won't say anything I do have that coral sand here still if you wanted some to try and bring it up a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 some concretes are made with extra chemicals for hardening, reinforcing and waterproofing also some concretes and cobbles are treated for antifungal, mould and moss control i have coral sand in tank and limestone chip, shell and aragonite in the sump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 pH is at 6.5 today. just got back from work. im going to do small water changes over the next few days. I added a cuttlefish thing in the water today. They seem happy and active now, ate their spirulina flakes with much glee, as they went hungry all day today. I also got some marine white gravel thing so ive put a bit of that in the filter too. hard water is good right? Im certain about the concrete, I remember asking about the block when i first moved in - he said it was just normal concrete that he made mainly just for keeping as weights for around the site jobs. Ryan - lol.. i too want the pH to be higher (makes sense after what you said on sunday). I just have one more assignment due in, and should be free on sunday, so perhaps we can sort something then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 pH is now around 7. KH has been increased by an unknown amount, but that has definitely helped with the pH. Fish are much more active now. much much more active. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave+Amy Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 wow is it just my comp monitor or is your tank really purple? :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 zat my friend is the night time lighting. 1 marine blue and 1 dull pink plant gro. :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracytrout Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 Looks Awesome Phoenix and what HAPPY fishies :bounce: :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 hard water is good right? Yes but you have general hardness and carbonate hardness and the two are not the same. I cannot encourage you enough to read the following links which RYANJURY kindly put on one of my posts when I was researching the same subject - I found the information invaluable, the articles will answer all your questions and stand you in good stead for understanding preferential water chemistry maintenance for African cichlids (note the comments in them made about addition of salts, which are considered elemental in helping the fish maintain their mucousy coating) ;- There are plenty of articles here .. 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 Im certain about the concrete, I remember asking about the block when i first moved in - he said it was just normal concrete that he made mainly just for keeping as weights for around the site jobs. Seriously phoenix, is it worth the risk ? Personally if you go that route I think you're mad, lol, but hey, its your tank . . . . I just think you can get more suitable stuff for little money. You have set up a tank for most to be jealous of, so it would be a shame to have a wipeout because you used a dubious product. Keep the pics a-comin though, cos its looking awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 thanks Tracy. Are you starting your African tank soon? :lol: Im so happy to report - I haven't had a single mortality! so much different from when I used to get fish from other places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 already read those. and yes - i know the difference between GH and KH. :lol: (A+ chemistry grades at uni :bounce: 99.5% average i think it was ) have taken care of both GH and KH thanks to some helpful ppl on here, and through work. salt has been added to the tank. its not much of an option in my tanks really. it has to go in The concrete has no weird additives. landlord even offered to make me some more :lol: it is temporary however. im hoping to get coral on sunday if things sort out. Thanks for the concern though, lol.. least i know my fish can have a responsible baby sitter if i decide to shoot off on the annual holiday :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 already read those. and yes - i know the difference between GH and KH. :lol: (A+ chemistry grades at uni :bounce: 99.5% average i think it was ) have taken care of both GH and KH thanks to some helpful ppl on here, and through work. salt has been added to the tank. its not much of an option in my tanks really. it has to go in The concrete has no weird additives. landlord even offered to make me some more :lol: it is temporary however. im hoping to get coral on sunday if things sort out. Thanks for the concern though, lol.. least i know my fish can have a responsible baby sitter if i decide to shoot off on the annual holiday :lol: Lol, I might be the type of babysitter who runs off with the babies when it comes to all those dems and yellows, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 you'll have to have mad skills if you manage to catch anything in there. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-town... Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 why dont you just add oyster grit in a ladies stocking to the filter that lifted my ph quite well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted May 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 why dont you just add oyster grit in a ladies stocking to the filter that lifted my ph quite well will get some from work today Thanks man... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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