PH for Tropheus

Question
Ron,

I currently have a Rio 180 fish tank with just a variety of Tropheus. I have run at a PH of 7.4 for the past 8 months. I have tried the 8.2 powered which is a quick fix but soon drops to 7.4. I have sand in the bottom and slate and rocks within the tank, and one piece of bogwood.

I have recently been talking to a local fish supplier who has stated for me to successfully breed the Tropheus on a regular basic (6-8 weeks) I need to raise the PH to 8.2  and regular feed the fish 3-5 time a day in order to condition them. He recommended I buy at least 20KG of Coral sand which should raise and maintain my high PH.  I have done this, how long should it take before the PH increase ??  I am currently ruining the Jewel internal filter and a external filter aswell.

I have read several article about MINEROLOGICALLY COMPLETE which contains ARAGONITE. The article state this will maintain a high PH.

Please advice me about the best way of maintaining my 8.2 PH and the advice about conditioning the fish.

many Thanks for you time and experience.

Matthew

Answer
Hi Matthew,
  First, take out the bogwood, that will make your water more acidic.
Getting the coral sand was a good move.  That should do the trick of holding the pH up near 8 or so.  It should do so within days.  

 Feeding your fish 3-5 times a day is extreme.  Most hobbyists and
professionals (including myself) feed once a day.  

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>