i am thinking about setting up a Madagascar Cichlid tank.Dose anyone here have m.cichlid tank set-up if so,can you guys give some pointers like the PH-tank size and so-on....i saw one at this pet-shop it looked sweet!!! all in black with small white spots.i get that guy out my head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol!!

CichlidsRool wrote:

i am thinking about setting up a Madagascar Cichlid tank.Dose anyone here have m.cichlid tank set-up if so,can you guys give some pointers like the PH-tank size and so-on....i saw one at this pet-shop it looked sweet!!! all in black with small white spots.i get that guy out my head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol!!

here is the picure;;;;;;

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/cichlid_of_month/images/paratila.jpg

The link dosesnt work

Mike D wrote:

The link dosesnt work

i just tried and it worked......i will post pic's later...

Here's a link that should help.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=2532

Mark

Markm0723 wrote:

Here's a link that should help.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=2532

Mark

that is it thanks, but the one i saw was about 3-4''

PH 7.5-8.5 for most species although they appreciate softer water so GH/KH should be lower, like 2-4 dh but they can adapt to a wide range in general. A rather large setup is needed with lost of plants and driftwood Rocks are appreciated. They dig a lot as most Cichlids do....The thing I would recommend is if you are looking to keep a community go with smaller more peaceful species. Most Madagascar species get big and mean as hell. If you have a large tank and want just a two or three or if you are looking for a pair you could go that route but tank will have to be big for territory.

Mostlycichlids wrote:

PH 7.5-8.5 for most species although they appreciate softer water so GH/KH should be lower, like 2-4 dh but they can adapt to a wide range in general. A rather large setup is needed with lost of plants and driftwood Rocks are appreciated. They dig a lot as most Cichlids do....The thing I would recommend is if you are looking to keep a community go with smaller more peaceful species. Most Madagascar species get big and mean as hell. If you have a large tank and want just a two or three or if you are looking for a pair you could go that route but tank will have to be big for territory.

i dont get it how can i keep the PH high and at the same time keep the water soft,,,,after 20+years i am still learning..thanks

IME pH isn't a true indicator of whether water is hard or soft. GH or General Hardness is the indicator of whether water is hard or soft. It is common for water with a high pH to be hard, but yet it's possible to have soft water with a high pH too. Understanding the difference between alkalinity and hardness are two aspects of water chemistry that are often confused. Total alkalinity indicates the entire quantity of bases present in water, primarily bicarbonates, carbonates and hydroxides. The most important components of alkalinity are bicarbonates and carbonates. Hardness is the overall concentration of divalent salts (calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.) but does not identify which of these elements are the source of hardness. Calcium and magnesium are the most common sources of water hardness. Liming increases both alkalinity and hardness. It is very hard to have a high PH and soft water unless your waters buffering capacity (KH) is very low. in which you will see PH drops. The only way to get an ideal water is to start with RO water and buffer to where you want it. It sounds like a lot of work and it is. If I were you I wouldn't worry too much unless your water is super hard...most fish will adjust fine esp if they are tank bred and raised fish.

Mostlycichlids wrote:

IME pH isn't a true indicator of whether water is hard or soft. GH or General Hardness is the indicator of whether water is hard or soft. It is common for water with a high pH to be hard, but yet it's possible to have soft water with a high pH too. Understanding the difference between alkalinity and hardness are two aspects of water chemistry that are often confused. Total alkalinity indicates the entire quantity of bases present in water, primarily bicarbonates, carbonates and hydroxides. The most important components of alkalinity are bicarbonates and carbonates. Hardness is the overall concentration of divalent salts (calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.) but does not identify which of these elements are the source of hardness. Calcium and magnesium are the most common sources of water hardness. Liming increases both alkalinity and hardness. It is very hard to have a high PH and soft water unless your waters buffering capacity (KH) is very low. in which you will see PH drops. The only way to get an ideal water is to start with RO water and buffer to where you want it. It sounds like a lot of work and it is. If I were you I wouldn't worry too much unless your water is super hard...most fish will adjust fine esp if they are tank bred and raised fish.

WOWWWWWW!!!!! Your awesome bro!! so what brand should i buy to make water work like that...

What is your water parameters at the tap?

Mostlycichlids wrote:

What is your water parameters at the tap?

i dont use tap water my whole house is filtered drinking-shower-an so on,water is filtered from outside except for the garden plants and trees....