African Cichlids

[dwall174]

I just started up a 38 gal African Cichlid tank because I was told that the waste water from my RO/DI is ideal for Africans, Anyway I’m just wondering if anyone else also keeps Africans & if you have tried to use the waste water from a RO unit?

I haven’t got a GH hardness test kit yet! I originally thought I could use my Salifert KH kit? But I guess the Carbonate Hardness KH/dKH & DH or GH is different? Anyway I have been able to keep the PH around 8.0 & the Carbonate Hardness/Alkalinity is 7.0 dKH or 2.51 meq/L Temp is 78 degrees!

I have noticed a big diatom outbreak! But that is probably because of the tank cycling & the fact I have high silicates in my city water.

If the diatom outbreak doesn’t go away after the tank has fully cycled! What would be the best way to control the diatoms? Of course I could use the RO water to control the silicates but then that’s kind of defeating my reason for starting the African tank in the first place.

[dwall174]

Sorry for the large type! I usually wright my responses in MS/Word then copy/paste to the forum! Out of ten BB's I visit this is the only one that doesn't resize the fonts automaticly! & I still haven't figured out why yet?

[Andrew]

If the diatoms don't go away, get a bristlenose pleco, they will clean it right up for you. I just use regular tap water, and add a dechlorinator. My tap water comes out 7.2, so I have to add a home made buffer receipe, that consists of instant ocean, baking soda, and epsom salt.
The only concern I would have about using the RO waste water is if you are keeping africans that are sensitive to water quality.
When I was keeping a colony of Tropheus moorii, I would use RO/DI water and mix in my homemade buffer for water changes. Pretty much just like you would prepare water for your reef tank.
HTH

[dwall174]

Originally Posted by Andrew

If the diatoms don't go away, get a bristlenose pleco, they will clean it right up for you.

Cool I was planing on getting one anyway because I heard they can handle the high PH & hardness good!

I’m just keeping the dwarf size Lake Malawi Mbuna for now because of only having a 38 gal tank. My PH on the waste line of the RO is only at 7.0 so I will probably still have to use some type of buffer later on. I’m using an old 32gal sump with a wet/dry filter placed on top of a UGF & 3" of crushed coral, So far my PH has stayed steady at 8.0 Probably because of the CC.

[dwall174]

Originally Posted by Andrew

I have to add a home made buffer receipe, that consists of instant ocean, baking soda, and epsom salt.

I’ve seen several of those home made buffer formulas! which one are you using? Also what type of Hardness test kit are you using?

[dwall174]

Originally Posted by Andrew

If the diatoms don't go away, get a bristlenose pleco, they will clean it right up for you.

I wasn’t able to find a bristlenose! However I did pick up a sailfin pleco (same family as the bristlenose) just to see how it handles the higher PH & harder water! Within three days all the diatoms were gone!