| Water conditions can be greatly improved by fully | | | | panty-hose and place it where the filter pad sits |
| planting a tank, as nitrite ammonia, and nitrate are | | | | so the waterpasses through. If you don't want to |
| some of the nutrients that plants consume. This | | | | use peat moss, blackwater extract works just as |
| helps balance the beneficial bacteria levels, so if | | | | well, it contains natural humic and tannic acids that |
| there will always be a buffer to make sure things | | | | creates an environment with water conditions |
| do not get too out of control. A fully planted tank | | | | similar to the Amazon River. It makes for better |
| will also induce spawning as it will replicate their | | | | water chemistry, encourages spawning, aids the |
| natural environment and also allow for hiding and | | | | hatching process and tints the water a light |
| spawning locations. | | | | brownish yellow color just like the Amazon River, |
| If you do decide to keep plants I would start with | | | | which is pretty cool looking. |
| an easy to keep low light plant such as Water | | | | Regular water changes are critical to maintaining a |
| Sprite, which grow like a weed pretty much | | | | good water chemistry for Cichlid breeding. How |
| regardless of your setup (it will literally grow out | | | | often and how much water to change is quite |
| of my tank if I don't prune it). A stock | | | | debatable. For my fully planted tank I do 33% (1 |
| fluorescent light fixture left on 8-12 hours a day | | | | 3) water changes every two to three weeks; for |
| should be enough to grow it in most setups, we'll | | | | a loosely or non-planted tank I would advise |
| be doing a whole guide on starting a planted | | | | weekly water changes. Ultimately this differs for |
| aquarium in the coming weeks. Nonetheless, I | | | | Cichlid breeding according to the species and each |
| suggest keeping it minimal and focus on Cichlid | | | | breeder has a different philosophy on water |
| breeding foremost. | | | | changes, so you can experiment with what works |
| African Cichlids enjoy alkaline water conditions, | | | | for both you and your fish. I am a huge advocate |
| South American Cichlids can be found in | | | | of the Python water siphon, years ago I had to |
| exceptionally soft and acidic blackwaters, while | | | | lug around heavy buckets of water to change the |
| American Cichlids usually inhabit water ranging | | | | water in my aquariums but this makes it incredibly |
| from neutral to alkaline. If your water isn't well | | | | easy and saves a lot of time as well, it is an |
| suited for African Cichlid breeding you can get | | | | amazing investment. |
| African Cichlid pH buffer, which will stabilize the | | | | A heater to maintain consistent water |
| aquarium pH to 8.5 as well as condition the water | | | | temperature is essential for Cichlid breeding. I |
| with elements found in their natural habitat. This | | | | prefer Visi-Therm Deluxe heaters as you can set |
| can help, but usually isn't greatly needed. | | | | the desired temperature and forget about it. With |
| However, for South American Cichlid breeding it is | | | | older heaters it was trial and error until you got |
| a bit more essential, especially for very delicate | | | | the correct setting, but that's no longer |
| fish such as Discus. | | | | necessary. Quite amazing how aquarium |
| Peat moss is good way to organically lower your | | | | equipment has evolved over the past decade. |
| pH without using any powders or chemicals. Any | | | | For more information visit my Cichlid breeding |
| garden shop should have some rather cheap, | | | | guide. |
| simply wash and put some in mesh bag or | | | | |