Julidochromis dickfeldi

[DigitalBoy]

After very hard thinking I've decided to try my luck with converting my 10 gallon planted tank to a rocky biotope with some Julidochromis dickfeldi. I am thinking of having sand with a few rocks forming caves.
I plan to keep a pair of julies. I've never done that before, so I would very appreciate any advices on keeping them. And also how do I setup a good rocky biotope, how do I make the water PH go up to 8?
Thank you.

Dmitry

 

[Neil]

I think that is a great idea. You can probably get the water conditions that you require by using a little crushed coral as substrate. You could also suppliment with Kents dKH buffer. It raises the alk and keeps the pH at about 8.2. I use it for my reef tanks.
As I recall, dickfeldi are tough to sex, so you might want to get 6 smaller ones and let them pair off themselves as they grow. Good luck.
Neil