rp_dawg Posted November 18, 2011 Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 I am quite new to the fishkeeping hobby in Calgary, and looking for advice on how smaller S,C/A cichlids (ram, keyholes, apistos) handle the local tapwater. I have kept these fish in Vancouver, where the tapwater is basically rainwater, and in KW Ontario, where the water is absurdly high in PH and hardness. I am NOT planning to go the R/O route here, so I want to stock my tank with a tri/pair of (keyholes, german rams, bolivian rams, apistos) that will be happy and healthy. Can anyone comment on their experience raising these fish in the local tapwater? Also, are there significant differences between wild-caught and tank raised stock when considering the previous question? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishclubgirl Posted November 18, 2011 Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 I gave up on german blue rams, as pretty as they are. Have heard that Bolivian rams are hardier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostface Posted November 18, 2011 Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 I'll speak for the German blue rams, they do fine with tap water, I have had my current pair for a year now, and they are breeding every 7-10 days. I treat with prime, and have them in a planted tank. I'm also raising some GBR fry at the moment, all are doing fine in the tap water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishclubgirl Posted November 18, 2011 Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 You're on a different water system than me so that may be the difference. rp_dawg, you might want to find out which location your water comes from, Bearspaw or Glenmore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rp_dawg Posted November 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 I would assume Glenmore, since I can basically throw a rock from my backyard to the reservoir (OK, if I took a 5min walk first I could do that). I actually picked up a trio of apistos from Big Als Calgary today, impulse purchase as they didn't have any of the tetras I want. Might be having a post in a day or two saying "name/sex that apisto", considering the tank they came from was next to one labelled Keyhole Cichlid, but definitely contained Bolivian Rams. That being said - apisto experiences in Glemore tapwater? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcgd Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 Any central american cichlids should be fine from the get go. The south americans can do okay, it just a matter of keeping the conditions stable. Once they adjust they should do fine, it's just the initial acclimation that can be a PITA. Any that are raised locally will be much easier to keep, especially when it comes to breeding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quetzalcoatl Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 I was told in the local fish stores, that if you buy your stock locally, They are already adapted to the local water conditions. I keep chocolate cichlids, convicts and tambaquies. I bought them all in Calgary and they are doing ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael_R Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 I have aragonite sand in my tank which increases the PH to around 8.2 and Ive been keeping dwarf cichlids and cardinal tetras without problems for over 2 years. Fish will adapt to most PH conditions but when PH fluctuates is when they have problems. So as long as your PH is stable you should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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