> 1.) my temp is usually kept around 78 to 80 degrees, ph is @ 8.0 to
> 8.5...*cheap tester* no exact number.
Yeah, I use the Tetra mini laborette set. My wift recently got me a digital PH monitor but I've not yet had time to sit down and calibrate and test it. That sounds well within a good range.
> 2.) they are in a 55 plus oceanic tank
Might be a bit small for them, you'll have to keep any eye out for aggression.
One thing that you can do is upgrade to a 75. Same footprint 48" long tank, but is deeper 18".
>
>
> 5.) no i dont have a special tub to get water ready ahead of time. i have
> a python so i add chlorine remove where water goes in.
'
One thing to keep in mind: municipal water supplies fluctute all over the board with the chemicals that they use to treat the water. IMHO, if you are filling directly with tap water I would go to 25% - 30% water changes twice a week. The reason being, that you may go for years with no problems, then one day do a water change, and regardless of what water treatment you add (I like Prime) have you fish die from shock or some other poisoning from chemicals added to the water.
>
> 6.)cant really vacuum it too good i stir it up to remove larger particles.
> the substrate gets sifted by cichlids. i have estes crushed coral with
> black sand mixed in.
Yeah, for that reason, I've resisted transitioning to sand/crushed coral. I still use gravel and vacuum about every three weeks or so. Realize, that as they sift, they are only going to eat what food they find and spit out other detritus.
I've heard that U.S. Silica Company - Mystic White II Pool Filter Sand is vacuumable.
http://www.u-s-silica.com/mystic.htm
I've yet to give it a try but want to, to see how it goes.
>
> 7.)i rinse filter media every week.
Yeah, me too.
>
> 8.)yes i use carbon but i was thinking of not using it as i have read that
> many people havent used it for years without problems. only if they have to
> take medications out of the water or for smell. and that because of the
> volume and frequency of water changes you dont need it.what do you think?
As you probably know, this is one of those "flame-war" topics. Currently, my position is that carbon is fine to use, as long as it's used properly. The one thing about it is that it needs to be replaced quite often; at the very least once a month (of course this also depends on the ratio of carbon to water). Also, what I do when I rinse it, I grind the filter bag in my hand, grinding the carbon pieces together to scrub off the outter layer. The first time I do it, the bucket of water turns BLACK. Then I do it again, and then rinse it in water until the water is clear again. Carbon does help to remove toxins from the water, odor, and makes it clearer.
So, I'd say it's OK, just make sure to replace it often.
>
> 9.) i have round river rock that are @ 4"-6"round with 4 varying sizes of
> slate throughout. stacked so there are plenty of caves and crevices for
> hiding..etc. i have various plastic plants scattered also.
Sounds perfect! :)
>
> 10.) the fish i have in there now are 4 rock kribs, 4 ruby reds, and some
> larger fry from lat.astatotilapia.
What exactly is the species of rock kribs?
-- Ryan Chapin
HappyCichlids.com
