Water Quality...

**AquaStu** · 10-07-2011, 04:41 AM

I knew our tap water was hard, so before deciding on what kind of fish to buy a tank for, I thought I'd check the numbers.

Bought an API master test kit and hardness test kit, and the results are:

pH: 8.1
KH: 197 PPM (11 DH)
GH 358 PPM (20 DH)
Nitrates: zero

That seems about perfect for most African Cichlids, correct?

Although having found an awesome LFS, the selection of nano reef tanks there are very tempting.....It's going to be an expensive weekend, I just know it..... :)

**ldoerr** · 10-07-2011, 04:58 AM

Originally Posted by AquaStu

I knew our tap water was hard, so before deciding on what kind of fish to buy a tank for, I thought I'd check the numbers.

Bought an API master test kit and hardness test kit, and the results are:

pH: 8.1
KH: 197 PPM (11 DH)
GH 358 PPM (20 DH)
Nitrates: zero

That seems about perfect for most African Cichlids, correct?

Although having found an awesome LFS, the selection of nano reef tanks there are very tempting.....It's going to be an expensive weekend, I just know it..... :)

LOLOLOL It has been an expensive day for me. Hope that everything turns out ok. I got into this hobby thinking that I would not spend that much. Ya I should have realized that it was not going to be cheep when I spent over $100 at petco to get a 29g tank kit that I later realized lacked considerably.

Good luck not breaking the bank especially if you get a sw tank. I have never had one of those but have read about them and they are expinsive.

**frefal13** · 10-07-2011, 05:16 AM

African Cichlids like hard water with a higher pH so that would be very suitable. Most fish can adapt to that water level as well. Make sure you do your research before you buy

**AquaStu** · 10-07-2011, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by ldoerr

LOLOLOL It has been an expensive day for me. Hope that everything turns out ok. I got into this hobby thinking that I would not spend that much. Ya I should have realized that it was not going to be cheep when I spent over $100 at petco to get a 29g tank kit that I later realized lacked considerably.

Good luck not breaking the bank especially if you get a sw tank. I have never had one of those but have read about them and they are expinsive.

Heh. Thanks :)

I was heavily into the hobby before I emigrated to the US, so I know I'm going to hurt my wallet. I just need to try and not hurt it too much.

**AquaStu** · 10-07-2011, 06:19 AM

Originally Posted by frefal13

African Cichlids like hard water with a higher pH so that would be very suitable. Most fish can adapt to that water level as well. Make sure you do your research before you buy

thanks for the confirmation. Research is one of the reasons I've been reading these forums. :)

This weekend, only a tank plus accessories will be purchased. 2-3 weeks before I'm planning on adding fish, much to the disappointment of our cats :P

**Dave66** · 10-07-2011, 08:12 AM

Got a kick out of your comment about the cats. One of mine who liked to sleep on the lights fell into the tank when it rolled over in her sleep. Apparently the other cats took note, because nowadays they sit a distance away from the tanks and just watch lol.

Good luck with your upcoming rift lake cichlid tank :).

Dave