Re: What pH adjuster do you use ?

> > I'm just about to set up my first cichlid tank (thanx to loads of
> useful
> > info here a few months ago). A few people mentioned using a pH adjuster
> > for the water as ours is neutral and pretty soft out of the tap.
> >
> > Anyone any recommendations ? I'm in the UK if that makes any difference
> > as to what products are available. I am planning on keeping Malawis.
> > What pH should I aim for ?
>
> For gravel, use crushed coral.  This will naturally buffer your water,
> and increase your pH & hardness.

Already got that ;-)

>  Alternately (or as well), use rockwork
> which leaches calcium into the water (tufa, dolomite, aragonite etc).

I was going to, but they are all too light. I wanted darker rocks to 
contrast the fish.

> Using natural products is IMHO the best pH adjuster as it's gradual and
> will not stress the fish with any rapid changes.

Agreed and if this is possible, I will defintely do it that way.

>  Fine tuning pH is
> usually not necessary as most fish acclimate to non-extreme conditions.
> If you were having trouble breeding them, you might want to tweak it
> further, but otherwise, it's better to keep them at your source water
> conditions (with a little buffering from natural stones in the tank), and
> keep to regular water changes and follow proper filter maintenance (with
> some redundancy using dual filters or dual filter media). JMO

That's what I like to hear !!

> ps: I have soft water at work and currently carrying eggs are : Rusty's,
> Zebra's, Nyasi's, Nyererei's, Kenyii's, Johanni's,  and Ahli's (electric
> Blues).  I've got baby Labs and 3 generations of Brichardis and counting,
> (all on crushed coral).  No luck with the Leleupis so far (even tried
> hard water).  The C. Moori did breed in hard water, and trying to get
> some action out of the Julidochromis marlieri next.  All this to say,
> that even for spawning, they are often not too particular about the
> hardness.

OK, thanx for the comments. I should actually check with the breeder 
from whom I'm buying the fish as his water supply comes from the same 
reservoir as ours does, so I can just do whatever he does (if anything).

--
Alan Silver