South American Cichlids • South American Tank...

[monisaab]

I have bought a couple of types of Apistos and am already enjoying them...

Just wanted to ask if the RO units selling on ebay at around $150 good enough to do the job for the tank requirements?

[monisaab]

oh come on folks...

there must be lots of people keeping the Apistos... what do I do??? use the tap water or buy an RO unit from ebay that costs around $150???

[regani]

depends on what your tap water is like. have you measured GH, KH and pH of your tap water? if you are in a soft water area youmay not need a RO unit.
it will also depend on the species of apistogramma that you have, some are more demanding when it comes to water conditions than others

[monisaab]

thanks regani...

I have Baenschi and Cacatuoides...

[bluejack23]

Some lfs will sell r/o mine does for .50¢ per gal. Good luck!

[monisaab]

thanks bluejack23...

I'll see if mine sells too and if he does what does he charge per gallon...

[bluejack23]

No prob. I use r/o but I buffer it good luck!

[regani]

the A. cactuoides are fairly robust and tolerate a wider range of water conditions. they can be bred even in moderately hard water with pH of 7.5.

the A. baenschi are a soft water fish, they will require very soft water with pH about 6 for successful breeding. they can be kept in harder water of higher pH, but they won't do well and will be more suceptible to disease with likely shorter life span.

[monisaab]

thanks regani...

I am keeping them in separate tanks...

[monisaab]

What about filtration? Do I need activated carbon for either of them?

[BelieveInBlue]

woah this is an old thread... I remember this from before I took a break o.O

To answer your question, no. You really don't need activated carbon ever IMO, unless you've recently medicated, and now wish to remove said medication from the water quickly.

[monisaab]

lol... yes an old thread indeed...

No I have not used any medications, it was just that I was at the LFS a couple of days ago and saw the activated carbon packs for my filter and I was wondering if that is something that I should be using....

[BelieveInBlue]

I haven't used carbon since the last time my fish had ick, which was probably 9, maybe 10, months ago, and so far the fish have shown no signs that the lack of carbon's affecting them; they're all as greedy as ever.

[monisaab]

gud to know... my fish are doing well too... eating well and keeping well... I've never used activated carbon so thought it wise to ask the experts...