General African Cichlid Discussion • GH and KH Parameters

[shiftyfox]

I've never really payed attention to water chemistry apart from PH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels.
Recently purchased API's GH and KH test kit to check water hardness. The only thing I add to the water is cichlid lake salt

Tap water
PH 7.4
KH - 4
GH - 7

Tank water
PH 7.4
KH - 4
GH - 11

1. Are these levels OK?
2. Should I add anything else?
3. Should I stop with the salt?

[ken31cay]

Tank water
PH 7.4
KH - 4
GH - 11

Is this just after or just before your weekly water change? Levels are fine if consistent.

[shiftyfox]

Water change was 3 days ago. Just wondered if KH should be higher but guess this would then mess with the Ph..

[ken31cay]

There are various dynamics that affect pH but it looks like yours is stable, which is the bottom line. I wouldn't mess with anything.

[supperfish]

It is OK for me.

[ken31cay]

3. Should I stop with the salt?

If you stop with the Cichlid Lake Salt then looks like your GH would go back to 7, which is also fine for most africans. But I'd make the change gradually over a few weeks' water changes.

[DJRansome]

I would not stop with the salt. 7 might work but 7.4 would work better.

[ken31cay]

I would not stop with the salt. 7 might work but 7.4 would work better.

Cichlid Lake Salt doesn't affect the water's pH.

[Fogelhund]

I would not stop with the salt. 7 might work but 7.4 would work better.

Cichlid Lake Salt doesn't affect the water's pH.

That really depends on the recipe in question, as many/most do.

[ken31cay]

I would not stop with the salt. 7 might work but 7.4 would work better.

Cichlid Lake Salt doesn't affect the water's pH.

That really depends on the recipe in question, as many/most do.

If OP is using Seachem Cichlid Lake Salt (my assumption), then it won't affect pH.

[Fogelhund]

Maybe they should just use the buffer recipe on this website then.

[DJRansome]

Maybe they should just use the buffer recipe on this website then.

Plus one. Also agree that lots of things are labeled cichlid salt and could have sodium bicarbonate as well as other ingredients.

[shiftyfox]

I use a teaspoon of Seachem lake salt and a teaspoon of Epsom salt on each weekly water change.

[ken31cay]

I use a teaspoon of Seachem lake salt and a teaspoon of Epsom salt on each weekly water change.

You can discontinue as both of these only affect the GH but not the pH.

[shiftyfox]

I’m not trying to increase the Ph, I’m quite happy with a stable 7.4

I just thought adding the salt would introduce some minerals to the tank water