Cichlid tank water ?'s

[saltwater_wannabe]

I have a successful 75g reef which has been my focus for the last 5 years. Prior to this, my wife and I had Cichlids and really enjoyed them. Well, I just finished setting up her own Cichlid tank (46g bowfront) and it's doing really well, but I have a quick question. I use RODI water for my Reef, but can I use it for the Cichlid tank as well? What about RO only? I have to do the first water change next week and I want to make sure that I do it right (it's been too long since I have done this )

Thanks!!
Brian

[ReefNeck]

I do not advise using RO/Di or RO water in an African Cichlid tank. the PH would come out near 7.0 from the RO unit and you would have to buffer the hell out of it every water change to get it up to 8.0-8.2 which is the best for African Cichlids.

Also the RO would remove all the trace elements that are good for your fish. In our reef tanks the salt mix replenishes the trace elements and buffers the PH. In Freshwater we don't have that happening.

Tap water with some Stress coat and 2 tablespoons of Sea Salt mix per 10 gallons and you Cichlids will be in heaven.

[Stang69]

Looks like reefneck answered that in a very eduicated manner. Thanks


Jeff

[ReefNeck]

Originally Posted by Stang69

Looks like reefneck answered that in a very eduicated manner. Thanks


Jeff

Thanks. I just got out of breeding Lake Malawian cichlids last year. Spent many years with 12 aquariums breeding nothing but African Cichlids. I loved those guys. Most colorful and interesting fish there is in freshwater.