wrote:
I have just purchased my first tank and would like some tips from you
experts.

I have a 2ft tank have filled it up with water, heater is set for 26C and
the water temp is steady at that temp. I have bought a water softening
pillow and put in the filter for 24 hours (as I have extremely hard water in
my area) I have also Added some tap water conditioner to the tank as well as
some water clearing solution. When Can I add the fish?

There are 4 plants in the tank and I have added a large rock feature
(plastic resin) for the fish. I have got a PH testing kit and the PH level
is now at 7.0 which I am told is good for a mixed fish tank.

Regarding the PH levels. My tap water was a PH of 8 which was a little bit
too high, now to lower this I used water from my tap water filter (the ones
you use to filter your drinking water) as I did a test on this water and the
PH level was 5.5 so I guessed that adding this water would eventually
balance the PH level out.

1. Ok now what fish should I get?

IF you get guppies of both sexes be prepared for their breeding profusely.

2. How many fish will this tank sustain without being overcrowded? I would
like fish that don't eat each other and no fish that grow larger than a few
centimetres.

3. Is my cheap solution an ok way of balancing the PH levels out?

I mix water to get a reasonable pH for my guppies and corys. I only have
access to water direct from the creek (pH of about 7.6) and rainwater
(pH of 6.3). By miixing the two waters about 50:50, I get a pH of around
7.2 and a good GH and KH. Works well here and has done since March.

4. What other "stuff" do I need to get i.e. ammonia testers, as I have seen
so much stuff my head is spinning.

That was my problem - too much info and some of it conflicting. Go to
NetMax's site, it's good, well organized, pleasant on the eye and you
don't get overloaded.
http://www.2cah.com/netmax/index.shtml

5. What food is good for the fish I am about to get??

6. When I do a small water change(not the whole tank) do I have to warm the
new water up or can I just add it a bit at a time?

7. Anything else you can think of that might help



TIA

my e-mail address is blazer666(at)rapidplay(dot)com