Hi Flash,

Kribs are from west Africa, where the pH is normally below 7. Their eggs
will only hatch in relatively soft water with low pH .

With a pH over 7.5 , I would go with either cichlids from either East Africa
or Central America.

Gouramis are from Southeast Asia and are anabantids, not cichlids, by the
way. The tiger barbs should be ok with most small-ish cichlids, as they are
quick enough to flee before they are hurt badly. Something like an adult
Jack Dempsey might eat them whole though.

Central American cichlids are some of my favorite fish. They are the most
"pet-like", having more personality than most other fish. The drawback is
that they are highly protective of "their" tank , and don't tolerate
intruders. You pretty much have to keep them as pairs or one fish to a tank
once they reach full size. Some of the exceptions are firemouths, Neets, and
Convicts, which would probably get along in a large tank like yours.

African cichlids can be kept as a community. I would suggest you go with
Malawi or Tanganyikan cichlids if you want a community tank.Here's a like to
a good site about them : http://www.africancichlids.net/

Glad to help;
Keith

"Flash Wilson" wrote in message
...
Hello. I don't normally post here, but I do read it.

Anyway - I have a 4ft tank which I want to slowly convert to be
a cichlid tank. At present it contains 2 nocturnal catfish
(a pleco and similar, which hide by day under wood), 4 kribs,
3 clown loaches and 3 tiger barbs.

Some of the older smaller fish have died off or been moved
recently leaving me with those. I don't expect the tiger barbs
to live much longer (they look fullgrown and battleworn) but
they keep surprising me. So that leaves the loaches, which will
soon be too big to move elsewhere, and the catfish and kribs.

snip