The Biggest Secret to Make Keeping African Cichlids Easy

Keeping African cichlids is often portrayed as being extremely difficult and something only for the 'expert' fishkeepers out there. However, it can actually be incredibly easy. Unfortunately there is a lot of information out there encouraging using products that actually make it more difficult. Today we discuss the reasons these practices are encouraged and how to achieve an easy to care for African cichlid aquarium.
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[@theaquariumprojectnz]

Find the audio version of this episode on our podcast feed here: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aquariumprojectnz/episodes/The-Biggest-Secret-to-Make-Keeping-African-Cichlids-Easy-e2a670d

[@carl5481]

I’ll definitely get aragonite next time and try that. But for now my system with the salt and buffer is working well, I have a 100L tub to prep water. That has a layer of crushed oyster shell now in the prep tub, but even after 48hrs circulating that water only takes it up to 7.6ph and 3 drops kh/gh. So I still add salt and buffer to bring it up more, water going in to the tank is close to identical.

[@theaquariumprojectnz]

That sounds like you are on top of it. Of course doing the salts and buffers method works perfect dont get me wrong. Just isnt for everyone. But im glad its going well for you!

[@Glenn_AE6YT]

I have very hard and high pH water coming out of the tap. I mix it with RO water to get me to where I need to be with my tanks. Take care.

[@theaquariumprojectnz]

that makes sense. Good way to manage it

[@Klausenitzer]

I've been using aragonite + the salt and buffer. So you reckon I can go without them?

[@theaquariumprojectnz]

yes aragonite will be sufficent on its own :)

[@Klausenitzer]

@@theaquariumprojectnz good to know it’s an option as I’m not a fan of buying the salts and buffers a few times a year.

[@theaquariumprojectnz]

for sure i can imagine

[@thomaswoolley1993]

My understanding is it takes some days for the aragonite sand to buffer the water to right ph i use the buffer so i dont get the ph swing all the time but could be wrong ? Especially doing one or two wc a week

[@theaquariumprojectnz]

There is a lot of variables that do affect it do i cant tell u the exact timeframe or number etc. But the general idea is it will work enough. So the term 'right ph' is a question there. It will bring it up enough for the fish to be happy and function. I do 80% water change 3x per week on my peacocks and they get abck up to ph pretty much in a day