Cichlids and what rocks to get?

Question
I have a 55 gallon tank and cant keep the ph up and i also dont have any hiding spots for my cichlids i have a jack dempsey, pink convict, yellow electric, and a kenyi and angelfish.  I need to know if i bring in rockes from outside if it will be ok for them.  I want to get them and make some hiding places for them and hope it help with the ph.  wel thank you for your time
liz

Answer
Hi Elizabeth,
Not all cichlids are compatible with each other.  Your Angel Fish must go as it has no defense against the other fish in your aquarium.  Angel fish need acidic water as the others you have need alkaline water.  Your Angel Fish will be stressed, bring disease, and sooner rather than later will die, or be killed by one of your other fish.  I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but when we start an aquarium, we must choose our fish carefully.  Hopefully your Pet Store will change your angel fish for another fish which will be compatible with your other fish.  
You need alkaline water so what you do is buy a bag of coral at your Pet Store.  Wash the coral, and put two handfuls in your 55 gallon tank.  Wait 12 hours, test your water, if it is too low, add more coral, wait 12 hours, check again..keep doing this until you reach the PH that is needed.  Your PH should be around 8.0.  Never bring the PH up too fast, as this would be a shock to your fish.
(Angel Fish need 6.5 PH, so you see this poor Angel Fish has to come out of your tank as quickly as possible)  Jack Dempsey, Pink Convict are true to their name, and are very territorial aggressive fish.  The Angel Fish has no defense against these fish.  Angel Fish are kept with less aggressive fish, you may even keep them with tetras, drawf cichlids, and smaller non aggressive fish.  Angel Fish live in waters with high plants, whereas the other fish in your aquarium need rocky formation.  
It is okay to use rocks from outside.  Boil them first to make sure that they are clean.
Hope this helps
Lynda