[nodima]

A good friend' who kept and raised many Tropheus for fun and profit, used water right out of the tap at around 7.4. His fish thrived and bred. Regular water changes using water of the same TDS is more important than an "ideal" pH.

Quoted for agreement. Far better to keep consistent than constantly adjusting. FWIW, the tap water for my tanks is pH 7.4-7.6, with 3-4dH and the Tropheus are healthy and breeding well. I do add 2 cups of epsom salt with each 50% water change weekly, that is in a 180 gal tank.