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I switched my SA cichlid tank over to Mbuna tank around Nov 04. How do I know if I need to add more of the shell grit stuff? Just test the ph regularly? I take it that it will drop gradually over time if the grit needs to be added...

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

Depends on you tap waters PH. If it is lower than say 7.7 crushed coral as a substrate will help it up to 8 and stay there. Texas holy rock is also good for that. Otherwise if it is 7.7 or up your fish will be fine. What is the refill waters PH?

Tap water at my place is 7.4
I will have to test the tank pH as I haven't done it recently.

I did add the shell grit when I did the changeover, just want to know if I should do a top up.

Last edited by wish-ga at 19-Sep-2005 18:36

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

Crushed Coral will help you higher the ph from 7.4 to about 8.


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If you did use the coral or cichlid ECO complete as a total substrate your PH should stay around 8. Just no massive water changes(no more than 25%).

I am about to move the tank to my new house which will involve a larger than usual water change so maybe I should get some extra substrate to add when the new water goes in.

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

Is the new house water same PH as old house? If it is maybe bring some old waterwith (in tubs or 5g buckets). Do your best(if tank isn't huge) to leave enough water to cover substrate so bacteria does not die. Move fast LOL. Good Luck.

Distance is only about 15 mins in the car but the tank is 4ft so not sure how much water I can retain. Must remember to take the ph test kit over and test the water. Lots of my stuff is at my old house still.

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

Yeah you'll be OK. Your gonna have to keep your fish in a bucket anyway. Drain water into 5g buckets and take them over with fish in and go back and get the tank with substrate and a pinch of water(3g's 55/ 4g's/75). Keep your rocks(ornaments/caves/plants) in tank water(buckets). Also filter media if not cannister filter. BTW is your substrate all crushed coral?

No it is a gravel mix

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

I would switch to all crushed coral or cichlid subsrate if your new water has same PH. As long as you have lots of filter media and ornaments , the tank should not mini cycle. But remember a steady PH is better than the "wrong" PH. Just move as fast as possible and keep the extra stuff in as much old tank water you can. Prolly keep old gravel and slowly move to new substrate from 1 end to other. This will make move easier and less spikes to PH over time. I know it would be easier to do now, but sound like you have no other tanks(cycled) to put fish in, so you dont want to crash it by removing water covered substrate. I wish I could help ya, but you will get it done.

I just wanna say that I have shell grit in my 115g and it does a good job. The only bad thing is because it's white it shows dirt, so regular vacs are required.

Anyways good luck with the move and everything.

I am loathe to have 100% grit for that very reason (the dirt)... I will pump the ratio up at some stage though.

Thanks... very close to moving day.

Maybe having my fish will make it seem even more like home! AAAAAAAnd I can fully stock once it is at the new place and the levels have evened out. Acei's here I come.

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~