optimum water hardness for multies?

[gheitman]

Does anyone here know the safe range of water hardness (dH) for multies (Neolamprologus multifasciatus) and the optimum value to shoot for? I realize that the water must be hard considering they are from Lake Tanganyika I just haven't seen a specific value in print.

 

[Voodoo Chilli]

IME, it doesn't have to be super hard or alkaline (unless you're dealing with wild stock). Keeping it stable and of high quality seems to be much more important than having it "perfect".

What's your tap water look like?

 

[gheitman]

My tank water currently tests at 220 ppm GH (or 12 dH) and a pH of about 8.6. I use Carib Sea's Eco-Complete African Cichlid sand to buffer my pH above 8 and add Seachem's Tanganyika Buffer and Cichlid Lake Salt as needed. I do have wild caught fish by the way. I know what hardness is safe for other Tanganyikan species I just hadn't seen any specific values for multies.