hard water...hard enough?

[dax29]

My tap water is fairly hard (an 8 [143 ppm for both] dGH and dKH I think). Anyway, it took several drops to make the color change and the carbonate and general hardness were very close to each other. I think this is good water to start with for malawi cichlids, isn't it? The pH has always tested around 7.6 - 7.8. I've tested it with several electronic instruments, strip tests, and reagent kits.

Do I need to add anything to increase the pH and hardness for malawis or is it basic and hard enough?

[LittlePuff]

It sounds like it would be perfect for malawis.

Kim

[greenmaji]

as long as your not trying to get them to spawn. you should be fine..

[dax29]

Good. I don't like messing with water in that way. I'm gonna put clown loaches in there with the cichlids so not having to harden the water will help them too.

[Toirtis]

Originally Posted by greenmaji

as long as your not trying to get them to spawn. you should be fine..

Might even be fine there...I have seen Malawis spawn successfully in similar water.

[Fishyfanatic]

as long as your not trying to get them to spawn. you should be fine..

Mine just spawned in 7.6 pH with soft water. I believe it was 2 drops in the AP test kit for the hardness levels.

[greenmaji]

I should say overworking yourself to induce them to spawn