http://forum.aqua-fish.net/ A forum devoted to aquarium fish, plants, techniques and fish keeping as a whole. en http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=water-quality#1 Water quality is the most important factor in maintaining a successful aquarium. In my experience with Tanganyika Cichlids, I have found that weekly water changes and a little salt helps to maintain a good pH in the tank. It’s also important not to overstock the tank. You have probably heard the rule: 1 inch of fish per gallon of water. But some in the hobby forget to factor in the substrate and any rocks or other decorations that will take away from the actual amount of water in the aquarium. Doing water changes weekly makes it easy for me to control the pH. I do about 25% water change an all my tanks and in the cichlid tanks I put in a few teaspoons of cichlid salt. Salt is very important to Tanganyika cichlids because it is found in the Lake. Usually the dose is 1 teaspoon per gallon. If you are going to add salt to your aquarium make sure it is salt that is FOR FRESHWATER OR SALTWATER, do not use table salt! To help maintain water quality, remember not to over feed or overstock the tank. Make sure your filter is recommended for more gallons than your actual tank is, for example: Filter up to 80 gph, will work well for a tank of 30-50 gallons. With Tanganyika cichlids you will want crystal clear and clean water. Also provide plenty of air in the water. Clean the filters and perform water changes weekly and you should have a well balanced aquarium. The information in this topic was based on my personal experience. I use plain tap water ( which for me is 7.8 pH) make sure you test your tap water before putting it into your tank. Tanganyika cichlids will do well in 7.3 pH -8.0 pH. scichlids 2008-05-06 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=water-quality#2 yes, a few good points there... Ive kept cichlids for years..and have never added salt, and I have been very successful, i think depending if they are "true" wild caught cichlids, bred from one supplier. store bought now a days, have adjusted too our water conditions.. and it depends on the personal prefrence of the hobbyist, it is not a must.. with the ..rule of thumb... 1 inch of fish per gal of water.. yes concider the decor!... but some forget to take the growth of the fish into concideration at the start.. they buy it small, load the tank up and watch the fish grow and die off.. just to make that a little more clear.. Ive tryed to tell many ppl this at my work (pet store) yes you have a 20gal and you want this particlar fish. shoal of 10+..and Ive heard them say it..well I can put this many right 1 in fish per gal..but mention the growth rate of this fish..it all changes when the grow..that 3 inch fish needs 3 in + water,and for proper growing at that.. nothing worse than someone buying a group of fantail goldies for a 10gal..these fish grow at a fast rate and need 10 gal per fish adult size..some say 5 gal, but they are such large waste producers... very good point on the filter size always go bigger.. but I would not clean my filter weekly.. if your not over feeding and doing proper water changes, you can pretty well leave that for the month or so..unless you have alot of decaying plant matter.. 1fish2fish3fish 2008-05-07 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=water-quality#3 Agree about the salt,never used it,kept malawis and only buffered with bicarb of soda.Over filtration is a must with cichlids mickey 2008-05-07