Re: Basic Questions

[rytireefs@juno.com]

On Wed, 19 Mar 1997  Rusty Witek writes:
  I've alwayswanted to keep apistos, but haven't had any success, and I'd
like some
advice on whether it's even worth trying for me.  Our water here ranges
from c. 7.4-7.7 and is hard. I once mail ordered 10 A. borelli, which I
understood were acceptable for my PH, but they gradually died over the
course of 6 months or so.
So I have some basic questions, which will no doubt lead to others:

1) Is it possible to keep any species of apistos in this water?  My
single
cichlid-keeping trick has always been Regular Partial Water Changes, 
so manipulating the PH has always been a losing proposition: just about 
the time I finally get the tank's PH down a bit, it's time to do water
changes.
 First, you say that manipulating the PH has been a losing proposition.My
suggestion would be to prepare your water before puting it in the tank
for what ever apistos you choose. I use a 50/50 mix of Reverse Osmosis
water and tap water. A local store carries the water for 39 cents a
gallon. Check around. If not buy a R.O. unit if it is in your means. Some
of my apistos have tolerated higher PH levels in the past but now seem to
enjoy lower PH.
2) Is live food a must for keeping (as opposed to spawning) apistos?  
I don't mind working at my fishkeeping, but my attempts at keeping a
steady
supply of baby brine on hand have made the task seem pretty onerous.
Live food is a definite plus especially if breeding is your intention.
Flake and pellets do work too. If baby brine is a hassle to keep handy
every day like it is for me, I would feed them it at least a half dozen
times a month. 
Hope that this helps,
Phillip J.Ryti
rytireefs@juno.com



----------- Reminder: Kindly quote parsimoniously when replying 
-------------
This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@aquaria.net.  To 
subscribe or
unsubscribe or get help , send the word "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" 
or
"help" in the body (not subject) to apisto-request@aquaria.net


----------- Reminder: Kindly quote parsimoniously when replying -------------
This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@aquaria.net.  To subscribe or
unsubscribe or get help , send the word "subscribe" or "unsubscribe" or
"help" in the body (not subject) to apisto-request@aquaria.net