combo tank

[rangur1]

hi, first post, i been researching and i think i can do this. the question is to anybody who would know.
i am cycling 3 55gal tanks i wish to combine malawi cichlids with rainbowfish.
example 1. 6 yellow labs and 6-8 m. trifasciata
2. 6 aulonocara beanschi and 6 bosemans
3. 6 a. jacobfribergi and 6 m herbertaxlerodi

my ph is 7.6-7.8 , i know its on the edge of both species ,so will this work?

thanks

[Red]

I dont think so, the malawi cichlids would pick at the rainbow's to much and the africans need a higher PH IMO.

[sergo]

not a good idea. keep the all of the africans togther or you'll be buying fish regularly.
also the africans will appreciate a ph of at least 7.8 or higher.

[rangur1]

thank you both for your input, all reading i found pretty much confirmed this.

[Brookfish]

Why don't you set up a Rainbow tank and a peacock tank.
both would look awesome, and you wouldn't have to worry
about the fish being compatible.

[domjd05]

Don't think they africans would treat the other fish too well.. I have kept malawis for 2 years in a ph of 7.6 with not a single loss. I'd be more concerned about the tankmates before I started throwing PH UP chemicals in the tank.

[Red]

Don't think they africans would treat the other fish too well.. I have kept malawis for 2 years in a ph of 7.6 with not a single loss. I'd be more concerned about the tankmates before I started throwing PH UP chemicals in the tank.

I can't agree anymore, it is just better to get the fish acclimated to the PH before you mess with chemicals. But if you want to raise it, the best way is crushed shells. I say a .2 difference.:22:

[rangur1]

thank you all for your help, this question arose because i was still undecided as to which fish i was going to keep. the tap water here is ph 7.6 with kh of 3 it was suseptible to ph swings which i dealt with for years keeping acid loving amazonions.
now i have acquired african cichlid buffer and salts and my tanks are presently ph 8 and kh 8 and holding nicely. presently the tanks are cycling [fishless] and should be ready in short order. so he is follow up.

i'm starting with L. cearulous , L textilus, and P. acei i have 3 55G tanks
any stocking recommendations?:ssmile:

[infamous2117]

i had a friend that did this and it actually worked out, but im just not a fan of mixing fish from different countrys together but its all about preference i guess