African Cichlid Newbie Owner

Question
QUESTION: Hello there!
   I decided to try my luck with African Cichlids, particularly Mbuna. I have a 30 gallon high tank and 350 Penguin BioWheel power filter. Water vales were great for everything but pH, which when tested for the first time after a new set up was lower than 5.0 (which is strange because I used unfiltered city water from the garden hose.)

I purchased some "proper pH 8.2" and added it to the aquarium. I also added aquarium salt,  1 tbsp per 5 gallons. The water temp is about 80F. I purchased a "Live pH, Live NH3" in tank test kit, the ammonia levels are at zero, but the pH is hovering around 7.4, even with the addition of the buffer pH 8.2. I have tried two sets of 3 fish, but they have all died.

I know that theAfrican cichlids require more than the average aquarium care, but I really would like to keep these fish, and I feel that I am doing everything I have been told to do by the local pet stores and what I have researched online. The first set died within 3 hours of addition to the tank. The second set did great for the first 24hours, and then all of a sudden died overnight. According to the meter, the pH fluctuated less than a tenth of a degree overnight. I have lots of hiding places for them, and they did not appear to be overly aggressive with each other. What else can I do, or should I do to keep this fish alive?

         Thanks in advance,
         Kay

ANSWER: Hi Kay,
 It is really, really unusual to have water that is pH 5 coming out of the hose.  In fact, I've never heard of that.  
Could your testing kit be off?  Otherwise, your drinking water is pretty close to vinegar.

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


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The water came straight from the hose,treated with Clorine and Chloramine remover and it was allowed to cycle through for about a week before testing. I have had the water tested several times at the smae pet store, and all of the associates had something different to say about what was wrong with my tank. After the first 3 fish died, I had the water tested, and this was when I was told the pH was about a 5. The testing that was conducted the day before showed no signs of any problems as per the pet store employee. The live pH and ammonia in tank tester wouldn't even make a reading on the day I added the first round of fish, but I assumed it was broken. After the addition of the Proper pH, it began climbing, but now is starting to decrease again. One fish is still alaive, but I think he may be permanently damaged... I did a 8 gallon water change and di not add anything but the chlorine chloramine remover, and this seemed to releive some of his stress. But now the water is getting cloudy and the pH is starting to near 7. What do I need to do to get my tank to optimal living conditions and keep it that way to keep these fish?
ANSWER: Hi Kay,
 Please tell me exactly what you have in the tank, e.g., gravel, plants, etc. Something in there is messing with you and your water.

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


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have about an inch of gravel (of medium to large size- earthy tone coloration) 3 tank ornaments made of resin- tall palm tree, tiny cave/ hideout, and one large rocky/petrified wood looking piece. I have 1 plastic plant. I have always had a really bad problem with keeping the water clear... I had a red devil for 8 years and it was always cloudy, no matter what I did. The gravel and the small cave/hideout were kept in the tank with my red devil, but the palm tree and large hiding rock/wood (both which are made or resin,) are new.
I have a 350 Penguin Biowheel power filter, and a top fin aquarium heater.
Since I last wrote to you, the water has become even more cloudy, and the pH is nearing 6.4
my one little fish seems okay though, but he is always hiding, and there is a clear tuftlike bubble over one of his eyes.
This was present on the fish I have tried recently, and occurred after I added them to my tank.
ANSWER: Hi Kay,
  I assume that the gravel is crushed rock as opposed to some other material (e.g., shell) and so should be okay.  Crushed shell gravel can really mess with ph (but it tends to raise it not lower it).   

  I assume that you use an aquarium vaccuum to clean the gravel regularly, right?

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


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes, I know that it is not crushed shell.
I do use a gravel vaccum, I used it before i added any fish after the death of my red devil with a 75% water change, but have not used it in about a week and a half...
I just went to the pet store again and had them test my water (again) and they said the cloudiness would eventually go away, but in order to raise the pH to the proper level, I should add some baking soda. Nitrates, Nitrites, NH3 and kH were fine.pH was about 7.0 or so I have added 1/4 tbsp each hour for two hours now. The fish seems to be doing okay, he ate some flakes for the first time.
Is it just a matter of waiting for the water to settle?
I want to make sure the water is stable, as I do plan on adding 2 more fish ( but no more than this).

Answer
Hi Kay,
 My personal opinion is that most of the time it is best if people do not fiddle with their pH.  Most importantly, if you are going to try to change the pH from say 6 to 7, you need to do that over a long period of time, such as a week or more.  

 The change in pH is much harder on a fish than whatever the pH actually is.  A fish can get used to a certain pH, what it can't handle are rapid changes in pH.

 I don't understand why your water is cloudy.  Are you feeding your fish more than he can eat in a couple of minutes?  Never put in food for him to "eat later". That only rots and will really mess with your pH.

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