New Tank - Cichlids - Help - Maintain High PH - Maintain Hard Water

Hi guys!

Everybody knows about the petco $1/Gallon sale by now and i am thinking of picking up a 20G long or a 30G to setup a species only tank. I will be getting Lamprologus ocellatus or commonly knows as the occei gold because my lfs has them. From what i have read, these fishes likes high PH and hard water. My tap water has a PH of 6.9-7.2 and i don't know what the hardness is. So my Question is,

1. How to i maintain High PH. I have heard that using the sand for cichlids maintain the high PH, but how high can these sand maintain and for how long? I have also read that using crushed corals can help maintain the high PH, but again, at what???

2. How to i check the hardness of my water. I am pretty sure my water is soft water or neutral if anything like that. For sure its no where near the kH of 12 - 14 like these fishes like. So how do i get and maintain this high kH?

3. Where can i buy shell for these dwellers to hose in?

4. How many fish do you think i can put in a 20G and 30G?

Thanks for help!

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Permalink Reply by Hmoobthor on September 4, 2011 at 3:44pm

i don't really think you really need HARD water to house them...or have high PH. They will adjust to any parameter and work with it.

Chances are your tap is hard water and high ph anyway...never heard of tap being soft.

I think i heard the dweller owner say they order them online.

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Permalink Reply by PK on September 4, 2011 at 6:19pm

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by 2apes2gp667wr on September 4, 2011 at 5:43pm

1. I've heard that crushed coral will increase pH. The more you add the more pH will get to. I agree with Hmoobthor that your fish will adapt, but the reason they should have high pH is because that is their natural habitat. Maybe one of the cichlid keepers will help you out.

2. You need to get a kH test kit. Any pet store will have them. Where do you live? More likely than not you have hard water, but 12-14 is not likely.

3. In general to me you should get the fish to match your water, not get the fish and try to play chemist to keep fish that aren't in a good environment.