[NYreefNoob]

i kept african cichlads for abut 2 yr's before going to saltwater only water change i did was what ever water came out cleaning cc, i had to add about 5g a week from evaporation though, ran a rena xp1 and some hob filter, had crushed coral for substrate. the light you have might be too much also, i used a shop light as my lighting. back to the ph question, and why do you dechloranate the water ? here's a crappy pic of my 55g cichlad tank i had. oh and i did have a mated pair of south american jewels that i was told wouldnt survive with my other cichlads, they spawn every week