Cichlid is another species of fish that prefer harder water. The specimens came from the Rift Valleys of Africa, which contains dissolved salt. The salt was available from natural sources, such as lakes and rock lining.

How do I avoid hardening the water?

If you want hard waters, then do not add limestone. Limestone should be avoided, especially if you intend to use it as rocks or gravel.

How can I tell the condition of waters after testing pH?
After you test the waters, pH readings should give you a figure. If the number is below seven, then the water is acidic. If the figure is higher than seven are then the water is alkaline. The neutral pH figure is pH7. If the water conditions are below or higher than this figure then your water is too alkaline or too acidic. If you maintain a correct temperature and balance of water, your fish and plants will live long and healthy.

Tip:
Red Nosed Tetra prefers freedom to swim and density of plants.

If you have tested the water keep in mind that tap water has pH7 or pH8 reading usually. If the gauge reads higher or lower, it means that the water has too much alkaline or acid: Keep in mind that fish from the symphysodon aequifasciata specimen enjoy acidic waters. If you have cichlids from Rift Valley, these fish prefer alkaline.

How do I test water?

You will need to purchase a test kit. You can purchase test kits online or preferably at your local pet store. Of course, you can purchase the kits online, but if you are not familiar with the types, it is best to purchase at a pet store. The test kits will provide you a read out of chemicals in the water as well as other information such as chlorine levels. There should not be chlorine in the water; however, tap water may have such chemicals. Water conditioners are ideal. When you setup your tank and each time you refill the tank you should use water conditioners.

Tip: If you have a heater in the tank, keep the volume low.

Living Room:

Typically, it is not recommended that you locate your aquarium in a living room. Since most living rooms are too warm, the fish will feel agitated. However, if you have tropical fish as well as plants you will have fewer problems. Plants and fish from the tropical regions tend to adapt well to higher water or room temperature. Using a heater in the tank can help you preserve your fish, yet you want to keep the heater on low volume. Maintaining a volume of heat will also prolong the life of your heater.

If you are heating your aquarium, take the easy way out. Some heaters include heaterstats, which will help you regulate heat. Heaterstats are thermostatically controlled devices, which fix to the corners of an aquarium. You can use suction cups to mount the heater. The heater has a small lamp, which will click on each time the heater is activated.