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Hello, i have never kept cichlids before and am going to attempt to keep a small pair of cichlids. I am not sure what kind, but they are going to be small and colorful. I have only kept fish that need a neutral ph and the only thing i have ever done is treat the water for chlorine. My question is what do i have to do to keep cichlids? How do i turn reguler water (ph 7) to water that is sutable for them. I am not sure if there are any other secrets or tips out there that i am not aware of. But any and all information is greatly apprecited.

thanks alot
john.

It depends greatly on exactly what cichlids you plan to keep. South American dwarfs are usually pretty happy in a neutral ph, as are West African riverines. Rift Lake Africans like the ph a little higher, but it's pretty easy to achieve. What's the tank size and such, any other fish?

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde

Cichlids vary greatly in their water preferences. Cichlids from Lake Malawi like hard, alkaline water, whereas South American cichlids prefer soft, acidic water. It really depends on the fish. Since you are interested in small, colorful cichlids, I'm betting that you'll end up with either apistogrammas or rams. They are all South American cichids, and like soft, acidic water (as previously stated).

Don't go changing your water just yet. There is no need to change your tank's pH, as long as it is stable. Most fish don't mind being kept in a pH different than what they're used to, as long as it constantly remains the same. In addition to that, cichlids are very adaptive, and thrive in a variety of water conditions. Don't worry if your pH is a little off the 'best' level, your fish will be fine nevertheless.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

i was thinking something along the lines of of electric yellows mixed with something else that is smaller then 6 inches. The only other fish i have in the tank are dainos that i am using to cycle the tank

How big is the tank you're using?

-Molly
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Electric yellows are good if the tank is at least 30 gallons. For electric yellows and another species, something more like 40 gallons would be needed. If the tank's smaller than that, electric yellows aren't really suitable; you would be better off looking at some of the SA dwarfs (which are still very colourful!)

For an electric yellow set-up, you can use calciferous materials such as limestone rocks (yellows need lots of rocks and caves, like all mbuna), or crushed coral substrate. This will naturally raise and buffer the ph of the water to the higher levels that they like.

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde

As a general rule, cichlids are hardy fish when it comes it water params. I wouldn't look too much into it unless you've got Africans in like, 7- water.

its a 29 gallon (its not a 30 but it is close)aquarium, i used to have my bichers in there, but tragedy struck when both bichers swam into a tiny hole in my artificial driftwood. The bichirs could not get out and both died inside of the fake wood. I have just a few dainos in there which i will eventually give to a friend.

29 gallon is fine for electric yellows, but it can only really be a species tank. I'd get four of them, 1 male and the rest females if you can (but they are extremely hard to sex, so don't worry about it too much). As I said, use calciferous materials in the decor, and maybe even in the filter. But electric yellows are fairly adaptable, so don't stress the ph too much.

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde

When I first set my cichlid tank up about 2 years ago I concerned myself with always making sure the ph was in the range of what they are suppose to like. Now to be honest I hardly ever pay any attention to the ph. Our tap water runs about a 7.5 and my cichlids are healthy and thriving well.