In article ,
says...
On Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:49:39 -0800 (PST), wrote:
Yes I was trying to cycle the tank using the neons so that's probably
my rookie mistake. The seem basically ok and once the notice the food
they do go after it but you may well be right in that they're not
feeling as well as could be. pH is high 8.0.

Try filtering over peat moss. That will lower the pH, soften the water,
and darken it. All of this will probably make your neons feel more
comfortable.

jue


Very bad idea to change any water parameter in the tank, OK to run peat
in the tank to keep the water parameters stable, but do change
parameters before the water is in the tank. Changing the PH or Hardness
in the tank will also change the Osmosis rate of oxygen and nutrition
absorption.

For beginners, it is best to not mess around with the water parameters,
keep fish and plants that match your water params.
I have mated Discus and Angles in 8.0pH water, but it was very soft RO
water, and the fish came from local breeders and were several
generations raised in local water.

Do a fishless cycle.
http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/profiles/misc/fishlesscycling.html

Great article on a easy, never fail planted aquarium called
The Bullet Proof Planted Aquarium by Ghazanfar Ghori
http://www.aquariumgarden.com/info.php?
doc_base=articles/basics/bulletproof.html

Have fun, and be patient.