Want to learn how to keep your very own African Cichlids? It's not as hard as you think, let me teach you 😊 👉 kavemanaquatics.com/keeping-african-cichlids/
Hey Kev! I absolutely love what you are doing for the African cichlid keeping community (and fish keeping in general). I wanted to make a quick correction about nitrates being acidic and lowering the pH - this is not correct (2:24 in the video). Nitrates are inert and do not react with anything in our aquarium. What causes the drop in pH is the chemical reaction going from ammonium to nitrite to nitrate during the nitrogen cycle. Each chemical reaction releases hydrogen ions which make the water more acidic. This is what lowers the pH! Everything else in the video is solid information though!
You are absolutely correct! I've been thinking about it and wording it incorrectly all this time. Your comment made me do a bit more research to better understand it! Thank you for the correction and for bringing it to my attention in a non-aggressive, non-condescending way! This is how we'll all continue to learn and grow! Appreciate supporters like you the most! 😁💪
Thank you for the video. As a newbie( I hate that stupid word) I really like the fact you keep the information simple and easy to understand. And that keeps my confidence up. So many people think water and you can add fish. I agree with your saying 100%. Fish should be able to thrive!!
Glad you’re finding the info helpful. I try to keep the “new comers” into the hobby in mind. Hope those words are better 🤣 Keep watching and learning, the journey is a great part of the hobby!
Kev, thanks for the head slap! Crushed coral in filter bags, as well, as aragonite sand in the substrate do eventually deplete. Incredibly helpful reminder.
Hey Kaveman ... I like your videos because You are one of the real few people who go straight to the point no Blah , blah , blah talks .. Keep real ... Tks for sharing.
I had a nice 55 gallon aquarium of African Cichlids. They thrived for 5 years. But they started spawning along the way,, so I had a few generations in my tank. And they kept growing, and instead of getting 2 aquariums (no room), I started adding extra filter equipment. And long story short, I lost my fish. I liked the way you have your aquarium set up. Good job.
I use Carib sea aragonite in my sump to buffer my PH. I have a 90 gallon planted tank and I use fluval stratum as a substrate. The Fluval Stratum drops my PH down to low 6's from 7.5 which comes out of my tap. Using aragonite to buffer my water keeps my PH at a steady 7.0. I put the aragonite in mesh zipper bag and find I only have to swap it out every 6 to seven months. using crushed coral is a great way to buffer your aquarium water. Great video with some good advice. P.S. I too don't want my fish to survive, I want them to thrive. Cheers!
Would you like crystal clear aquarium water just like my tank? Then download my Free Ebook with the best tips on how to make your tank crystal clear! 👉 kavemanaquatics.com/free-ebook
This video was excellent, and I especially appreciated you speaking up on wanting fish to thrive, and bringing up important details like remembering their genetic codes. I am currently educating myself on how to raise the pH for my Axolotl tanks, and I appreciated your advice. I will find a safe way to store crushed coral so they cannot get to it to eat it.
Great vid as always bro, and great advice. Im setting up 2 tanks to replace the one I gave to my friends son. Grabbing a group of Firemouth cichlids to develop a breeding pair. I used to breed Red Devils ages ago and always enjoyed watching the Fry grow out. So thought I'd give the fire mouths a try, a friend has one and he's the baddest little tank boss I've ever seen, so I'm gonna give it a shot. Thanks again for such an awesome channel and all of the inspiration you provide!!!
That sounds like fun! I eventually want to get into breeding myself when I have room for more tanks. Another part of the hobby I'd love to learn and then share with everyone. Thanks for sharing a bit of your journey, thats what this hobby is all about!! 😊😊
Another great video!!! Can we mix crushed coral with any another substract or should I fill the entire bottom of the tank only with crushed coral? Thanks!!
Thank you! Glad to hear you're finding the channel helpful!! I highly suggest you check out my playlist for beginners. It'll be very helpful for you 😁 - th-cam.com/play/PLP5OXTIIDO8NYvhUHAmwAd54WFmS4d8er.html
I haven't kept Africans since I lived in an area with 7.8-8.2 out of the tap. This video reminded me why I don't keep them anymore with my 6.6-7 tap water. South Americans for me!
Thanks for this, as you said everyone says dont chase the PH but our local Petco sells African Cichlids, and don't tell people our local water is a PH of 6.
Thanks! Yea, I have the airstone attached to an air pump for added surface agitation. My tank is overstocked and these guys take up a lot of oxygen fast.
I use baking soda during water changes as my tap water is devoid of any disolved solids. I'm using aragonite cichlid sand as a substrate and in my filter. Steady KH of 7 and ph of 8.2. I did a small test and topped off with untreated water and dropped my KH to 6. Within 3 days it was back to 7. It's definitely a cheap way to buffer during water changes.
Yes it is, Only reason I dont recommend it for beginners is because it can be easily mis-dosed and can cause a huge PH swing if not used correctly. Veterans know better 😊
Hi Kev, how many pounds of substrates(aragonite and crushed corals) did you have in your 75g tank before? Also, what is the recommended pounds per gallon of substrate is needed for peacock tank. thanks.
Good info bro, I add two new bags (aragonite or crush coral)every 6-8 months and remove equal volume of of substrate. My tap water has a ph of 7 so I give it a little extra boost.
I know you been answering my questions and I appreciate it very much. Now I have another question. You mentioned to me that yes if I bought african cichlids from a place that only used neutral water, you Saud if I put them in my established tank with higher PH that it would harm them. So now my question is when I buy 4 or 5 more new fish one day to add to the tank how do I get the new fish slowly used to higher PH. Do you slowly raise PH in a qeuranteen tank so they will be ready for the PH in the main tank? At $70 a fish I just wanna make sure I don't screw this up. 😂
Nothing, the amount of aragonite sand I have adds a lot of buffer to the water. Even during a big water change the buffer keeps the PH of the tank water stable. When new water is added it immediately releases more buffer to maintain the higher PH.
Killed a few of my African cichlids when tap water decided to come soft (6 pH) Tank pH is 8.8 Did a big water change and never bother to test the water as the water always been stable and fish never showed symptoms. Saved a few when I dumped baking soda to raise the pH fast . Long story short check your water before a big water change. I know I learned the hard way.
I used the Seachem Alkalinity Buffer. It worked well. Just have to keep adding it every day to get it to the level you need it and then add with each water change. As long as you don’t pour half the bottle in the tank water it doesn’t bother fish. At least it didn’t bother my fish at all. My fish were happier when I did add the Seachem Alkalinity than when I did nothing and my ph and KH were super low.
I never buffer make up water. During water changes I will buffer the new replacement water. I'm always sitting at 8.20PH and my breeders are happy breeders on a regular basis.
Hey bud I just got a 75 gallon tank and wanting to get some peacock cichlids. Now I don’t got no fish yet still waiting for the cycle to complete but been watching your vids and realized about the PH. How would I go about adding the crushed coral to the substrate? Its been cycling for about 2 weeks. Adding prime and stability. Do I just rinse the crushed coral and then dump it in the tank and mix it with the sand? Or do I have to empty a certain amount of water then add it? Sorry I’m new to African cichlids and I’m trying to make sure all is good for them before I buy some. Thanks in advance! Love the vids
Yes, after rinsing it off it can go right in the tank and mix with your sand if you like that look. Start with this playlist loaded with tons of info on African Cichlids - th-cam.com/play/PLP5OXTIIDO8MG9hyJ8PjbC33zEbcyy8__.html BTW, you should check out my new Aquarium Keeping APP designed for beginners! - aquabuildr.com
Very good info. I’m currently setting up a 90 to replace the 60 I have my ACs in now. PH has been in the 7.7 range for the current one but in the new tank I want to move to a better substrate for ph purposes. I’m guessing I should start adding crushed coral to my filter or tank now in small amounts to gradually start raising the ph and better prepare them for the move.
I have aragonite sand as substrate in my tank but my ph level still in 7.5 😢. I am planning to add a crash corals inside a filter. hopefully it will increase the ph.
I wish i would've seen this before choosing my substrate .I dont like the idea of adding it to the current sand i have and i dont want it in the canister because it wont last . Replacing the substrate is going to be such a pain
@kavemanaquatics I used argonite on my new tank and cleaned it in a 5 gallon bucket for awhile before putting in my tank. Has been a week and still cloudy and if I touch the sand a cloud of dust cones up. How do I clear my tank up with this kindle if sand?
On a side note, can I use my well water even though it's super hard and full of iron? Can I use my super soft water that runs through the inside ? What I read online says NO to both...Seriously, I really need help with this.. and the issue below. Your videos are REALLY helpful!!
2 questions: #1 I put 10 lbs of crushed coral in my 55 gallon. (Didn't read the instructions before hand) New setup... no fish. Is that too much or should I remove half of it? It's mix in with my sand substrate. #2 In my old tank, without crushed coral... the ph keeps fluctuating. It's currently at 6.8. I have API proper ph 8.2 and I use half the dose, when I use it because I'm afraid it will raise too fast. Should I continue using that until I can add crushed coral into that tank?
Can we just put crushed coral in a bag and put inside the tank so it’s not in the filter but at the bottom of the tank and in the bag it’s easier to remove?
Yes you can, thats the same as adding the crushed coral to the substrate 😁 BUT, the amount you can keep in a bag is a lot less than mixed into your entire substrate. Thats why when you use a small amount in a bag it works better in a filter with water constantly flowing through it.
Clown loaches do great in African Cichlid water parameters. I just added about 5 at the same time after quarantine and they have done great ever since.
Great videos. New to the hobby here and these help me a lot. Can I put crushed coral in a mesh bag and put at the bottom of the tank instead of mixing with the substrate? Alternatively a video on how to change substrate would be helpful too. How do you change substrate without losing the beneficial bacteria?
Yes you can! That would work just as well. I have a video where I moved my substrate from one tank to another, that may help - th-cam.com/video/XNqQqdCn1bc/w-d-xo.html But once you remove the substrate, if you replace it, you lose the BB that was there.
Thank you for the info helps alot! Definitely going to add to my substrate. But something I don't get is my tap water has I high pH, but after I dechlorinate it, it drops alot. Everytime I do a water change I have to put seachem neutral regulator in it to bring it back up.
Dechlorinator doesnt drop PH....Neutral regulator wont bring it up, it brings it to "neutral" (7.0) With African Cichlids it should be higher than that. So using this method will raise it to about 8.0
can buy any products to raise kh and keep your ph stable. as in not harm your ph. I have kh of 3-4 drops in api n just getting eaten quickly causes my ph to drop. which it for a male betta
Thank you. important video. I'm moving. Here ph is 8.2 there ph is 6.2.either I have to raise ph or re home my fish. I'm going to see if I can raise it first before I decide
If you have soft tap water (like 1 degree gh and kh) and you need to use crushed coral for your aquarium. Should you buffer water before adding it to your aquarium? Or is there enough kh present in the tank that it doesn’t matter?
Great info as always. Question... is there a rule of thumb on how much to add to existing substrate? 75 gallon aquarium with sand, currently cycling with no fish. PH is currently 7.4 wanting it higher I'm preparation for mbuna. Thanks!
No rule, just add about a cup at a time. Wait a few days before testing to get an accurate measurement of how much PH increased. And then continue adding from there.
I use well water for my aquarium and the ph is around 5.5 which is terrible for most of the cichlids i have.So i use both crushed coral and baking soda to raise ph up to 7 which is ideal.I constantly check ph level due to this reason and never had an issue.It is such a pain but going through all the trouble is finally well paid off when you have a cup of tea in front of the aquarium. 💪
All the work we do for our fish is always worth it at the end of the day. Be careful with the baking soda, Just stay consistent with your dosage and stay on schedule 💪
Hey kev I’m setting up a 75 gallon cichlid tank and I’m wondering what percent mix I should use with aragonite sand and regular sand to get the perfect ph or does it all differ from tank to tank?!
Thanks for the great info. Recently I’ve been discouraged by some from setting up a Lake Tanganyika cichlid tank due to the difficulty of maintaining proper water parameters for these fish that react poorly to very subtle changes in water conditions. I have a new 75 gallon tank with a 40 gallon sump. I have some crushed coral in the tank as well as the sump, with a stable PH of 8.2, and I have a thermal mixer maintaining incoming tap water at a steady 79 degrees, so the temporary fluctuations during water changes would be in the PH and GH. If I kept the water changes to just 10%, twice a week, do you think it would harm these fish? Thanks for your help.
10% twice a week isnt going to get your nitrate levels down. unless you keep a refugium in your sump. But imo you would still be fine doing bigger water changes. All the crushed coral in tank and sump will keep the water buffered even during a big water change, and you'll have very little fluctuation in PH. Your guys will still be fine
That’s a great question, but there’s really no set amount because everyone tank and tap water is different. Start out with 1/2 cup for every 20 gallons, wait a day or 2 and test your PH. Then add more as needed.
I started keeping African cichlids about a year ago and I haven’t lost a fish yet, I have 10 male peacocks in a 60 gallon tank but the ph stays around 7.6 I use both cichlids lake salt and the Malawi buffer mentioned in your video but it doesn’t seem to be working. I’m thinking about using crushed coral in my filter but I want to be 100% sure that it will raise my ph because I feel like I’ve already spent a fortune trying to do so
This has been so helpful, thank you. My 4 yr. old goldfish are used to a 7.3ph. I am moving and the ph there is 6.2. ph7 or above is best for goldfish to thrive, Thank you again!
Yo kev I just got a new tank and everything is good. My old tank has my fish in it that I want to put in my new tank but I can’t yet. The ph on my old tank is too low…very acidic. How to I raise the ph on my old tank so I can put him in his new home? Can I do a bunch of water changes in a couple weeks?
Hi, I’m a new subscriber to your channel ! Can I put some crushed coral into a mesh bad and let it sit in the bottom of my tank? That way I can easily remove it without replacing the whole subtrate. Thanks !
You definitely could do that, its all about the look of the substrate you want. In this tank I mixed sand with crushed coral. And in my 210 I did straight sand, check it out - th-cam.com/video/sqj2g8_PZ7U/w-d-xo.html
gn reallly learnt alot..overall am currently cycling a new tank.last one had a leak.rigjt now ph between 7.8 and 8.but my question is IF its to high how to lower.ph
You can lower PH by adding driftwood. Just make sure you boil it for about 30 minutes and then let it sit in water for 24 hours to release the tannins.
Should I use Malawi Buffer AND put crushed coral in my filter? What about water changes, do I add more Malawi Buffer with every water change? I have a 75 gallon tank and currently only have 4 clown loaches and a bristlenose pleco in it. My current PH is 7.2.
You could. I use 1 large bag of crushed coral while also dosing with cichlid salt and malawi buffer during every water change. The crushed coral is more of a backup to keep the PH stable. You can find all the products and equipment I use and recommend in my affiliate shop 😁 - koji.to/kaveman_aquatics
I add in both during fill up. When it’s about 50% full. Don’t add the salt too early as it will be too concentrated when the tank has very little water in it.
Just added cichlid lake salt for first time. It just clumps up and sits at bottom. Is it supposed to dissolve? I can imagine a big build up over time on substrate.
It will dissolve on its own with time, usually overnight. If you dont like the clumps you can pre-mix it in a bucket of tank water and then add. I used to do that, but that got old quick lol Now I add the salt in a back corner and the clumps dont bother me 😊
@@KaveManAquatics thanks! Now I got a new 75gallon going. I dosed it with the cichlid salt and Malawi buffer & am currently on day 3 of getting it cycled. I also have argonite sand as substrate. Does it take awhile for the ph to rise? I've been sitting at 7.2. Should I keep adding the salt and buffer til I get proper levels, buy some crushed coral for filter OR wait it out. Thoughts? Im patiently waiting to add cichlids ma man. First timer with dem
Yes it does take days so be patient. If it stops rising after multiple days then its safe to add more to reach your desired level. Im working on a new course thats all about keeping african cichlids, if interested join the waiting list so you can be notified when I launch 😊 - kavemanaquatics.com/keeping-african-cichlids
I have a PH out of the tap of 7.8-8.0 and am using crushed coral as substrate. I assume since the water is already sitting at 7.8-8.0 that I can just leave the substrate alone over time. I condition the tap water with sediment filter and charcoal filter canisters from my RO unit (I bypass the RO and DI canisters to avoid reducing PH)
Great Video! I have African Cichlids in a 55 gallon tank, and I'm upgrading to a 110 gallon tank for them. The new tank is ready, the ph is 8.2. Their current tank has a ph of 7.5. So I am worried that is too big a shift for them. I've used a tiny bit of baking soda before in their current tank.....to raise it. But this tank will be a community tank after the Cichlids move out, so I don't want to mess with it much. What do you suggest?
You’ll have to drip aclimate slowly to adjust them to that shift. It can be deadly if they’re just added in. And I mean slowly like days. It takes days to adjust to a new PH especially a swing that much.
I’m in the process of changing my salt to freshwater and going with peacock cichlid I want to add my coral rocks back in. I bleached them and rising them thoroughly. Then let the dry. Will this help with raised PH stability? It’s a 125 gallon tank with a sump for filtration.
This channel is extremely informative. I'm setting up my chichlid tank (don't know what cichlids yet, probably mbuna tank) using city water. I already have Seachem Prime, and a few other produts from seachem...what other "conditioners/chemicals" do I need to set up my water for the introduction of my cichlids. I know about tank cycling, etc...just need advice on more conditioners, if needed. I'm using city water from my workplace, b/c the water in my home is SUPER SOFT, and/or hard well water (if I bypass) with TONS of iron (like, heavy on the iron)..water changes are gonna be hell, but I gotta have my tank..need help...
All you need is prime to condition your water. Then you'll need crushed coral or aragonite sand to raise your PH and keep it stable. You can also add cichlid lake salt and malawi buffer. links to all in the description.
Want to learn how to keep your very own African Cichlids? It's not as hard as you think, let me teach you 😊
👉 kavemanaquatics.com/keeping-african-cichlids/
This is the best aquarium guy on TH-cam. He talks straight about the problem. Without too much talking around and making things dificult.
Thank you bro! Glad you’re enjoying the channel! 😁💪
Right I have learned so much from him.
Have learned so much from you bud thanks.
Hey Kev! I absolutely love what you are doing for the African cichlid keeping community (and fish keeping in general). I wanted to make a quick correction about nitrates being acidic and lowering the pH - this is not correct (2:24 in the video). Nitrates are inert and do not react with anything in our aquarium.
What causes the drop in pH is the chemical reaction going from ammonium to nitrite to nitrate during the nitrogen cycle. Each chemical reaction releases hydrogen ions which make the water more acidic. This is what lowers the pH!
Everything else in the video is solid information though!
You are absolutely correct! I've been thinking about it and wording it incorrectly all this time. Your comment made me do a bit more research to better understand it! Thank you for the correction and for bringing it to my attention in a non-aggressive, non-condescending way! This is how we'll all continue to learn and grow! Appreciate supporters like you the most! 😁💪
The whole point of going on youtube was to find hard concepts simplified. Kaveman has done it and I am learning so much from him ! :)
Great to hear that! Thank you 😁
Thank you for the video. As a newbie( I hate that stupid word) I really like the fact you keep the information simple and easy to understand. And that keeps my confidence up. So many people think water and you can add fish. I agree with your saying 100%. Fish should be able to thrive!!
Glad you’re finding the info helpful. I try to keep the “new comers” into the hobby in mind. Hope those words are better 🤣 Keep watching and learning, the journey is a great part of the hobby!
Hi man, great videos. What background is that?
Thanks bro, Aqua decor model A 31
Kev, thanks for the head slap! Crushed coral in filter bags, as well, as aragonite sand in the substrate do eventually deplete. Incredibly helpful reminder.
My pleasure bro! Glad I could help! 😊💪
Hey Kaveman ... I like your videos because You are one of the real few people who go straight to the point
no Blah , blah , blah talks .. Keep real ... Tks for sharing.
LOL Thanks! I try to get you guys the info quick so you can get back to your fish! 😊
@@KaveManAquatics .. Tks again... !!
You moving up on my top TH-cam fish channels that I watch. I like how you are straight to the point. Keep up the good content.
Awesome! Thank you 😁💪
Kaveman your tank has an beautiful, deep depth vibe to it, looks great!
Thank you Sir! 😊
I had a nice 55 gallon aquarium of African Cichlids. They thrived for 5 years. But they started spawning along the way,, so I had a few generations in my tank. And they kept growing, and instead of getting 2 aquariums (no room), I started adding extra filter equipment. And long story short, I lost my fish. I liked the way you have your aquarium set up. Good job.
I use Carib sea aragonite in my sump to buffer my PH. I have a 90 gallon planted tank and I use fluval stratum as a substrate. The Fluval Stratum drops my PH down to low 6's from 7.5 which comes out of my tap. Using aragonite to buffer my water keeps my PH at a steady 7.0. I put the aragonite in mesh zipper bag and find I only have to swap it out every 6 to seven months. using crushed coral is a great way to buffer your aquarium water. Great video with some good advice.
P.S. I too don't want my fish to survive, I want them to thrive. Cheers!
Thanks for sharing bro! Glad to hear you're fish are thriving! 😁
Best vid I’ve watched so far on this subject good vid . 💪🏼 you the man kaveman
Thanks bro! Glad you enjoyed it 😊
Would you like crystal clear aquarium water just like my tank? Then download my Free Ebook with the best tips on how to make your tank crystal clear!
👉 kavemanaquatics.com/free-ebook
Men you help me a lot, with you’re videos tanks man 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽
Glad I could help! 😊
This video was excellent, and I especially appreciated you speaking up on wanting fish to thrive, and bringing up important details like remembering their genetic codes. I am currently educating myself on how to raise the pH for my Axolotl tanks, and I appreciated your advice. I will find a safe way to store crushed coral so they cannot get to it to eat it.
I appreciate that! Glad you found it helpful! 😊
@@KaveManAquatics Thank you so much! I bought some crushed coral!
Thanks for your for your commitment and guidance in fishkeeping regardless of the level of the folks you are addressing
My pleasure Bill, This channel was born with beginners in mind 😊 Thank you for joining the membership, I appreciate your support!
I love how everything you mentioned, I have 🥰 makes me feel like a good fish parent
Im sure your fish are very lucky to have you! 💪🤣
this man doesn’t make bad videos. Always straight to the point
lol, Thanks bro! 💪
Facts...love it. Only person I trust
Dude you’re a lifesaver I need to raise the ph for my snails and this helped out a lot. Thank you !!!!
My pleasure, glad I could help!
Loved the video, i use Aragonite Sand because i like the look better then crush coral and sand is easier to clean.
Yup, that’s smooth look of the sand is very nice! 💪
Thank brother for explanation. You help me a lot. I try to order the Aragonite but I didn’t find the same that you showed in the video.
Great vid as always bro, and great advice. Im setting up 2 tanks to replace the one I gave to my friends son. Grabbing a group of Firemouth cichlids to develop a breeding pair. I used to breed Red Devils ages ago and always enjoyed watching the Fry grow out. So thought I'd give the fire mouths a try, a friend has one and he's the baddest little tank boss I've ever seen, so I'm gonna give it a shot. Thanks again for such an awesome channel and all of the inspiration you provide!!!
That sounds like fun! I eventually want to get into breeding myself when I have room for more tanks. Another part of the hobby I'd love to learn and then share with everyone. Thanks for sharing a bit of your journey, thats what this hobby is all about!! 😊😊
Do you have video of you mixing and adding salt/buffer during water changes? Thnx bro
Another great video!!! Can we mix crushed coral with any another substract or should I fill the entire bottom of the tank only with crushed coral? Thanks!!
Thanks bro! Yes you can mix it 😊
Your videos are helping me the best, that I've watched on TH-cam, I'm a newbie my first tank 608liters🤦♂️
Thank you! Glad to hear you're finding the channel helpful!! I highly suggest you check out my playlist for beginners. It'll be very helpful for you 😁 - th-cam.com/play/PLP5OXTIIDO8NYvhUHAmwAd54WFmS4d8er.html
I haven't kept Africans since I lived in an area with 7.8-8.2 out of the tap. This video reminded me why I don't keep them anymore with my 6.6-7 tap water. South Americans for me!
It's not hard to stabalize your PH once you got it high enough. We will welcome you back to Africans when you're ready! 😁
Thanks for this, as you said everyone says dont chase the PH but our local Petco sells African Cichlids, and don't tell people our local water is a PH of 6.
Really, wow They should definitely be educating their customers about the difference when keeping African cichlids
hey kev
great video as always
how much c.coral do i need for a 100gl tank?
u got some mbunas in there
thanks man
Appreciate you sharing this informative information 💪🏼💪🏼
Glad I could help! 😊
Hey Kev - your videos are awesome, question: do you have a pump in that vid? I see the air stone.
Thanks! Yea, I have the airstone attached to an air pump for added surface agitation. My tank is overstocked and these guys take up a lot of oxygen fast.
Bahahaha… “We all know that sucks” priceless. This a a great vid. Thanks for the info
Thank you! Glad you're finding the channel helpful! 😁💪
Great information and lesson. Keep up the good work.🐟🌿👍😊
Glad you enjoyed it! 😊
I use baking soda during water changes as my tap water is devoid of any disolved solids. I'm using aragonite cichlid sand as a substrate and in my filter. Steady KH of 7 and ph of 8.2. I did a small test and topped off with untreated water and dropped my KH to 6. Within 3 days it was back to 7. It's definitely a cheap way to buffer during water changes.
Yes it is, Only reason I dont recommend it for beginners is because it can be easily mis-dosed and can cause a huge PH swing if not used correctly. Veterans know better 😊
Hi Kev, how many pounds of substrates(aragonite and crushed corals) did you have in your 75g tank before? Also, what is the recommended pounds per gallon of substrate is needed for peacock tank. thanks.
Man that tank is beautiful.
Thank you bro! 😁💪
Thanks for getting straight to the point!
My pleasure! 😊
hey bro, thanks for the video this was very informative and like you said straight to the point. good shit.
My pleasure! Glad you're finding the channel helpful 😁
Thanks for your Commitment to fish keeping and your respect for all levels of Aquarius
Good info bro, I add two new bags (aragonite or crush coral)every 6-8 months and remove equal volume of of substrate. My tap water has a ph of 7 so I give it a little extra boost.
Thats perfect!! Way to stay on top of it! 💪 Keeping your guys at the right PH is key!
Great info brother...Does lime rock help raise the PH?
Thanks, and yes it does also!
I know you been answering my questions and I appreciate it very much. Now I have another question. You mentioned to me that yes if I bought african cichlids from a place that only used neutral water, you Saud if I put them in my established tank with higher PH that it would harm them. So now my question is when I buy 4 or 5 more new fish one day to add to the tank how do I get the new fish slowly used to higher PH. Do you slowly raise PH in a qeuranteen tank so they will be ready for the PH in the main tank? At $70 a fish I just wanna make sure I don't screw this up. 😂
Your provider should be keeping African Cichlids in the correct PH, Which should match your setup. If not, you might want to find a new provider.
Thanks for great info, after days of research I’ve found the solution in your video 👍
Awesome! Glad it helped 😊
hey love the videos thanks you've helped me a lot . what meds did you use to cure ich?
Ich-x is probably the best on the market.
Firstly great videos and very informative. Could let me know what happens to your water PH when you do water changes
Nothing, the amount of aragonite sand I have adds a lot of buffer to the water. Even during a big water change the buffer keeps the PH of the tank water stable. When new water is added it immediately releases more buffer to maintain the higher PH.
Killed a few of my African cichlids when tap water decided to come soft (6 pH)
Tank pH is 8.8
Did a big water change and never bother to test the water as the water always been stable and fish never showed symptoms.
Saved a few when I dumped baking soda to raise the pH fast .
Long story short check your water before a big water change. I know I learned the hard way.
What's Good in Both Malawi Buffer and Crusade Coral
Great video as always 😎 What program do you use to edit your videos?
Thanks! I use Filmora 9...very simple to learn.
Thanks! 😁 I'm getting a bit frustrated with Inshot, it can be fiddly to resize stickers etc and is kinda glitchy sometimes lol
@@fintasticaquatics8071 Never used that one before, But never had a problem with Filmora...try it out 😊
Love that tank!
Thank you! You should see my new one 😁 - th-cam.com/video/OqZ56JuQuEU/w-d-xo.html
I used the Seachem Alkalinity Buffer. It worked well. Just have to keep adding it every day to get it to the level you need it and then add with each water change. As long as you don’t pour half the bottle in the tank water it doesn’t bother fish. At least it didn’t bother my fish at all. My fish were happier when I did add the Seachem Alkalinity than when I did nothing and my ph and KH were super low.
Great product! I use it in my Discus tank 💪
Very good information thanks .
Glad it was helpful!
I never buffer make up water. During water changes I will buffer the new replacement water. I'm always sitting at 8.20PH and my breeders are happy breeders on a regular basis.
what do you use to buffer?
How much sand do i need for 40 gallon tank? How much crushed coral? Thanks!
Hey bud I just got a 75 gallon tank and wanting to get some peacock cichlids. Now I don’t got no fish yet still waiting for the cycle to complete but been watching your vids and realized about the PH. How would I go about adding the crushed coral to the substrate? Its been cycling for about 2 weeks. Adding prime and stability. Do I just rinse the crushed coral and then dump it in the tank and mix it with the sand? Or do I have to empty a certain amount of water then add it? Sorry I’m new to African cichlids and I’m trying to make sure all is good for them before I buy some. Thanks in advance! Love the vids
Yes, after rinsing it off it can go right in the tank and mix with your sand if you like that look. Start with this playlist loaded with tons of info on African Cichlids - th-cam.com/play/PLP5OXTIIDO8MG9hyJ8PjbC33zEbcyy8__.html
BTW, you should check out my new Aquarium Keeping APP designed for beginners! - aquabuildr.com
Very good info. I’m currently setting up a 90 to replace the 60 I have my ACs in now. PH has been in the 7.7 range for the current one but in the new tank I want to move to a better substrate for ph purposes. I’m guessing I should start adding crushed coral to my filter or tank now in small amounts to gradually start raising the ph and better prepare them for the move.
You got it! Best way to raise and stabilize your PH for sure.
I have aragonite sand as substrate in my tank but my ph level still in 7.5 😢. I am planning to add a crash corals inside a filter. hopefully it will increase the ph.
It absolutely will 👍
I wish i would've seen this before choosing my substrate .I dont like the idea of adding it to the current sand i have and i dont want it in the canister because it wont last . Replacing the substrate is going to be such a pain
Hi brother how much crushed coral add in my 65 gallon aquarium?
@kavemanaquatics I used argonite on my new tank and cleaned it in a 5 gallon bucket for awhile before putting in my tank. Has been a week and still cloudy and if I touch the sand a cloud of dust cones up. How do I clear my tank up with this kindle if sand?
And is the crushed coral who show in the video is the one you recommend
Yes sir, link in the description
On a side note, can I use my well water even though it's super hard and full of iron? Can I use my super soft water that runs through the inside ? What I read online says NO to both...Seriously, I really need help with this.. and the issue below. Your videos are REALLY helpful!!
I agree with what you read...Use your soft water, but keep crushed coral as a substrate to buffer it and make suitable for african cichlids
Thanks again for your advice!!
Crush coral raise gh too? Nice video
Yes, thanks
2 questions: #1 I put 10 lbs of crushed coral in my 55 gallon. (Didn't read the instructions before hand) New setup... no fish. Is that too much or should I remove half of it? It's mix in with my sand substrate. #2 In my old tank, without crushed coral... the ph keeps fluctuating. It's currently at 6.8. I have API proper ph 8.2 and I use half the dose, when I use it because I'm afraid it will raise too fast. Should I continue using that until I can add crushed coral into that tank?
Amazing vídeo exelentes explanation
Thanks, glad you found it helpful!
Can we just put crushed coral in a bag and put inside the tank so it’s not in the filter but at the bottom of the tank and in the bag it’s easier to remove?
Yes you can, thats the same as adding the crushed coral to the substrate 😁 BUT, the amount you can keep in a bag is a lot less than mixed into your entire substrate. Thats why when you use a small amount in a bag it works better in a filter with water constantly flowing through it.
Great info! Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Chrush corral life time is it good it canister or tank
How do you introduce clown loach into African cichlids tank? I am wondering about the pH and salinity differences. Thanks Kev, love your works..
Clown loaches do great in African Cichlid water parameters. I just added about 5 at the same time after quarantine and they have done great ever since.
Great videos. New to the hobby here and these help me a lot. Can I put crushed coral in a mesh bag and put at the bottom of the tank instead of mixing with the substrate? Alternatively a video on how to change substrate would be helpful too. How do you change substrate without losing the beneficial bacteria?
Yes you can! That would work just as well. I have a video where I moved my substrate from one tank to another, that may help - th-cam.com/video/XNqQqdCn1bc/w-d-xo.html
But once you remove the substrate, if you replace it, you lose the BB that was there.
@@KaveManAquatics thanks Kev
What happens when I have to change my substrate
Thank you for the info helps alot! Definitely going to add to my substrate. But something I don't get is my tap water has I high pH, but after I dechlorinate it, it drops alot. Everytime I do a water change I have to put seachem neutral regulator in it to bring it back up.
Dechlorinator doesnt drop PH....Neutral regulator wont bring it up, it brings it to "neutral" (7.0) With African Cichlids it should be higher than that. So using this method will raise it to about 8.0
@@KaveManAquatics every time I do a large water change my pH drops into the 6's, then I use the regulator to bring it back up.
Ok fine explanation bro
can buy any products to raise kh and keep your ph stable. as in not harm your ph. I have kh of 3-4 drops in api n just getting eaten quickly causes my ph to drop. which it for a male betta
Thank you. important video. I'm moving. Here ph is 8.2 there ph is 6.2.either I have to raise ph or re home my fish.
I'm going to see if I can raise it first before I decide
You should be able to raise the PH without a problem using these methods 😊 Good luck on the move!
I have a Marineland 220 Magniflow Canister Filter. Where would you suggest I add a bad of crushed coral into the particular canister?
Not sure what the flow is like in that canister but you want the bag at the very end just before water leaves it and return to tank.
If you have soft tap water (like 1 degree gh and kh) and you need to use crushed coral for your aquarium. Should you buffer water before adding it to your aquarium? Or is there enough kh present in the tank that it doesn’t matter?
I just worry about ph swings during water changes?
great information
Glad it was helpful!
Great info as always. Question... is there a rule of thumb on how much to add to existing substrate? 75 gallon aquarium with sand, currently cycling with no fish. PH is currently 7.4 wanting it higher I'm preparation for mbuna. Thanks!
No rule, just add about a cup at a time. Wait a few days before testing to get an accurate measurement of how much PH increased. And then continue adding from there.
@@KaveManAquatics that's perfect. Thank you so much!
Can you add the crushed coral to the tank and or filter while fish are in tank?
Yes, but add it in increments with days in between each increment to make sure you dont raise it too high.
Super bro excellent explain
Thank you so much, Glad you enjoyed it! 😊
I use well water for my aquarium and the ph is around 5.5 which is terrible for most of the cichlids i have.So i use both crushed coral and baking soda to raise ph up to 7 which is ideal.I constantly check ph level due to this reason and never had an issue.It is such a pain but going through all the trouble is finally well paid off when you have a cup of tea in front of the aquarium. 💪
All the work we do for our fish is always worth it at the end of the day. Be careful with the baking soda, Just stay consistent with your dosage and stay on schedule 💪
@@KaveManAquatics 👍👊
Yo Kaveman! Do you vacuum your sand/crushed coral just as you would with gravel? How often? Thanks man.
Sure do, every other water change. Watch this - th-cam.com/video/uf9l-fBNFl4/w-d-xo.html
Hey kev I’m setting up a 75 gallon cichlid tank and I’m wondering what percent mix I should use with aragonite sand and regular sand to get the perfect ph or does it all differ from tank to tank?!
Thanks for the great info. Recently I’ve been discouraged by some from setting up a Lake Tanganyika cichlid tank due to the difficulty of maintaining proper water parameters for these fish that react poorly to very subtle changes in water conditions. I have a new 75 gallon tank with a 40 gallon sump. I have some crushed coral in the tank as well as the sump, with a stable PH of 8.2, and I have a thermal mixer maintaining incoming tap water at a steady 79 degrees, so the temporary fluctuations during water changes would be in the PH and GH. If I kept the water changes to just 10%, twice a week, do you think it would harm these fish? Thanks for your help.
10% twice a week isnt going to get your nitrate levels down. unless you keep a refugium in your sump. But imo you would still be fine doing bigger water changes. All the crushed coral in tank and sump will keep the water buffered even during a big water change, and you'll have very little fluctuation in PH. Your guys will still be fine
@@KaveManAquatics Appreciate the response Sir...Thanks for your input! :)
Hi Kev. I like the idea of using crush coral to raise PH. Do you have a guideline on how much to use for a 200 lit tank? Thanks.
That’s a great question, but there’s really no set amount because everyone tank and tap water is different. Start out with 1/2 cup for every 20 gallons, wait a day or 2 and test your PH. Then add more as needed.
KaveMan Aquatics thanks again. Will try out this method.
Can i use this for my betta?
WHy do you want to raise the PH for your Betta? Where are your levels now? Bettas do fine in 7.0
I started keeping African cichlids about a year ago and I haven’t lost a fish yet, I have 10 male peacocks in a 60 gallon tank but the ph stays around 7.6 I use both cichlids lake salt and the Malawi buffer mentioned in your video but it doesn’t seem to be working. I’m thinking about using crushed coral in my filter but I want to be 100% sure that it will raise my ph because I feel like I’ve already spent a fortune trying to do so
It will!
Hi kaveman, how to increase the water hardness as baking soda increases ph but water is too soft with less than 40ppm..
This has been so helpful, thank you. My 4 yr. old goldfish are used to a 7.3ph. I am moving and the ph there is 6.2. ph7 or above is best for goldfish to thrive, Thank you again!
Yo kev I just got a new tank and everything is good. My old tank has my fish in it that I want to put in my new tank but I can’t yet. The ph on my old tank is too low…very acidic. How to I raise the ph on my old tank so I can put him in his new home? Can I do a bunch of water changes in a couple weeks?
Hi, I’m a new subscriber to your channel !
Can I put some crushed coral into a mesh bad and let it sit in the bottom of my tank? That way I can easily remove it without replacing the whole subtrate. Thanks !
Absolutely 👍
Thank you !
Welcome!
Do you mix crushed coral and sand together, like 40 lbs of sand and 20lbs of crushed coral for a 65 gal tank or just stick to one kind!?
You definitely could do that, its all about the look of the substrate you want. In this tank I mixed sand with crushed coral. And in my 210 I did straight sand, check it out - th-cam.com/video/sqj2g8_PZ7U/w-d-xo.html
gn reallly learnt alot..overall am currently cycling a new tank.last one had a leak.rigjt now ph between 7.8 and 8.but my question is IF its to high how to lower.ph
You can lower PH by adding driftwood. Just make sure you boil it for about 30 minutes and then let it sit in water for 24 hours to release the tannins.
@@KaveManAquatics thnk you
Should I use Malawi Buffer AND put crushed coral in my filter? What about water changes, do I add more Malawi Buffer with every water change? I have a 75 gallon tank and currently only have 4 clown loaches and a bristlenose pleco in it. My current PH is 7.2.
You could. I use 1 large bag of crushed coral while also dosing with cichlid salt and malawi buffer during every water change. The crushed coral is more of a backup to keep the PH stable. You can find all the products and equipment I use and recommend in my affiliate shop 😁 - koji.to/kaveman_aquatics
@@KaveManAquatics Do you add the Cichlid salt and Malawi buffer in BEFORE you add the new water (like prime and stability) or after?
I add in both during fill up. When it’s about 50% full. Don’t add the salt too early as it will be too concentrated when the tank has very little water in it.
Just added cichlid lake salt for first time. It just clumps up and sits at bottom. Is it supposed to dissolve? I can imagine a big build up over time on substrate.
It will dissolve on its own with time, usually overnight. If you dont like the clumps you can pre-mix it in a bucket of tank water and then add. I used to do that, but that got old quick lol Now I add the salt in a back corner and the clumps dont bother me 😊
@@KaveManAquatics thanks! Now I got a new 75gallon going. I dosed it with the cichlid salt and Malawi buffer & am currently on day 3 of getting it cycled. I also have argonite sand as substrate. Does it take awhile for the ph to rise? I've been sitting at 7.2. Should I keep adding the salt and buffer til I get proper levels, buy some crushed coral for filter OR wait it out. Thoughts? Im patiently waiting to add cichlids ma man. First timer with dem
Yes it does take days so be patient. If it stops rising after multiple days then its safe to add more to reach your desired level.
Im working on a new course thats all about keeping african cichlids, if interested join the waiting list so you can be notified when I launch 😊 - kavemanaquatics.com/keeping-african-cichlids
I have a PH out of the tap of 7.8-8.0 and am using crushed coral as substrate. I assume since the water is already sitting at 7.8-8.0 that I can just leave the substrate alone over time. I condition the tap water with sediment filter and charcoal filter canisters from my RO unit (I bypass the RO and DI canisters to avoid reducing PH)
You are correct! 👍
Great Video! I have African Cichlids in a 55 gallon tank, and I'm upgrading to a 110 gallon tank for them. The new tank is ready, the ph is 8.2. Their current tank has a ph of 7.5. So I am worried that is too big a shift for them. I've used a tiny bit of baking soda before in their current tank.....to raise it. But this tank will be a community tank after the Cichlids move out, so I don't want to mess with it much. What do you suggest?
You’ll have to drip aclimate slowly to adjust them to that shift. It can be deadly if they’re just added in. And I mean slowly like days. It takes days to adjust to a new PH especially a swing that much.
I’m in the process of changing my salt to freshwater and going with peacock cichlid I want to add my coral rocks back in. I bleached them and rising them thoroughly. Then let the dry. Will this help with raised PH stability? It’s a 125 gallon tank with a sump for filtration.
Yes it will, Coral rock or crushed coral will help in raising and stabilizing PH
This channel is extremely informative. I'm setting up my chichlid tank (don't know what cichlids yet, probably mbuna tank) using city water. I already have Seachem Prime, and a few other produts from seachem...what other "conditioners/chemicals" do I need to set up my water for the introduction of my cichlids. I know about tank cycling, etc...just need advice on more conditioners, if needed. I'm using city water from my workplace, b/c the water in my home is SUPER SOFT, and/or hard well water (if I bypass) with TONS of iron (like, heavy on the iron)..water changes are gonna be hell, but I gotta have my tank..need help...
All you need is prime to condition your water. Then you'll need crushed coral or aragonite sand to raise your PH and keep it stable. You can also add cichlid lake salt and malawi buffer. links to all in the description.
KaveMan Aquatics I really appreciate that you took your time to reply..means a lot. I will do as you instructed, thank you!
What kind of air stone u use