Is it because it lowers ph and cichlids require high ph? I have a piece of treated grapevine branch in my cichlid tank but I compensate by using dolomite (calcium sand), sea shells that raise ph, and I add rift lake salt to the water. My ph is in the right range for african cichlids. Is there another reason why you shouldn't put would in a cichlid tank?
2007-04-15 21:20:53 · 10 answers · asked by Ash 4 in Pets ➔ Fish
Drift wood in general is ok for your tank. It is the bogg woods and Peat woods that need to stay out of the tank. These are the two that will lower the PH in the tank, not drift wood.
Adding dolomite is perfect for keeping the PH up in the tank (if using bogg woods)
Drift wood is fine as well as grape vine woods. It is the boggs you need to keep out.
Congrads on doing your research with regards to maintaining the ph naturally!
2007-04-16 06:01:56 · answer #1 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 6⤊ 3⤋
Driftwood In Cichlid Tank
2017-01-12 19:41:37 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My oscar grew up in High PH and is very happy. I've never had issues with pH and cichlids if the fish are kept in the same water conditions for a long time. For me, pH never killed fish- BUT sudden changes in pH levels have killed . Just make sure u keep the same level of pH-low or high.
2007-04-16 04:54:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Driftwood lowers PH of the water and Cichlids like a high or hard PH.
Thats about the only reason I can think of.
2007-04-15 23:29:05 · answer #4 · answered by Palor 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
the rocks are one issue but the drift wood is something that is different many types of cichlids like acidic water and in the natural habitat the wood and plants cause the water to be slightly acidic they are not just for decorationbut give the water acidity for spawning try a small piece of slate put it on a slight angle right under the filter water fall( if u have one) they make nests around the slate and will protect it with their lives the water flow help oxygenate the fry don't bother them if they are protecting their nest it will stress them out africans are a very aggressive type of cichlids
2016-04-01 03:52:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you hear any advice regarding all cichlids, it's automatically wrong. Cichlids come from all over the globe and all sorts of environments - one can have opposite needs of another.
Driftwood can leech acids into the water and drop the PH.
This is why my Malawi cichlid tank has not a single piece of driftwood in it, an my Nicaraguan cichlid tank has lots of it.
Since you have 'Africans' from the rift lakes it is advisable not to use it, but not all types of driftwood have as much affect on the water as others, and the harder and more alkaline your water is in the first place, the less affect driftwood will have.
If you are not noticing any problems, no worries - just keep an eye on things.
2007-04-16 00:45:35 · answer #6 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 4⤊ 4⤋
Driftwood can lower pH, but it can also produce tannins that will color the water brown. Activated carbon/charcoal can help reduce the coloring somewhat. Also, for those who collect their own wood, some types have toxic chemicals depending on the type of tree they come from.
Grapevine degrades rather quickly compared to other types like bogwood, Mopani, or Malaysian driftwood, but how it (or any wood) will affect pH will be different, depending on the plant the wood from which the wood comes and the buffering in the water.
If you're looking to raise pH, look for the term "aragonite" for your substrate - this is calcium carbonate. As it breaks down when the pH drops, it releases calcium and carbonate to raise the pH. "Dolomite" is calcium magnesium carbonate and is less soluble (dissolves less) in water. Dolomite will hold up better in your tank, but aragonite will do more to raise your pH. So which substrate would be better to use is a matter of the final effect you want.
2007-04-16 13:36:38 · answer #7 · answered by copperhead 7 · 3⤊ 5⤋
My green banded cichlids thrive in a tank with plenty of driftwood. That could be because green bandeds are new world cichlids (i.e. river fish0 as opposed to african great lake cichlids.
2007-04-15 23:49:22 · answer #8 · answered by ags3y7 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To actually lower pH in your tank, the amount of driftwood that you need, would make the tank be called a driftwood tank, and not a fish tank. I have done this myself and seen. Its a myth that driftwood will immidietly start lowering the tanks pH..!
Normally a piece or two of driftwood would only add decoration to the tank, and make it look nice. It will have no effect on the water quality or pH or the fishes.
2007-04-16 01:19:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
Driftwood lowers the pH. I read that somewhere - but don't know how reliable the source is! Just passing on what I read! :)
2007-04-15 21:30:08 · answer #10 · answered by Me 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋