Advise Needed On Stocking Tropical Fish!

[Sanjay]

Hi all!!
My name is Sanjay and i am new to the world of tropical fish!!
I have a Jewel 54litre tank and am currently running a fishless cycle (about a week in).
Unfortunately i lost 6 fish (3 opaline gouramis and 3 red wag platys). I did not know about doing a fishless cycle but am glad i know now!!
The pH of my tap water is 7.6 - after the fishless cycle is finally complete, is this the pH i should stock for??
Is this level ok or should i use anything to bring this level down??
All advice is much appreciated!!

 

[TallTree01]

There is loads you could do with ph 7.6 in a 54 liter, the opalines grew to big and aggressive for a 54 liter anyway .
How are you cycling the tank?

 

[Sanjay]

Hi there.
I added pure ammonia to a level of 4, now its dropped to practically 0, i readded and brought it back to 4 again. The nitrites are high but i understand when the ammonia drops from 4 to 0 in 10 to 12 hrs, the nitrites will take some time to drop like that too.
I am doing the "add and wait" method which i learnt from this site (link attached)
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/113861-fishless-cycling/
I also got this advice/method from a friend who used this to cycle 2 tanks (54 litre and 80 litre) and he said it worked a treat.
Thanks for the advice on the opalines. What fish would you recommend and how many for a balanced tank??

 

[TallTree01]

You cycled it properly then. That's good.
For fish I would reccomend :
3 platies
7-8 rasboras
And a couple of shrimp or snails.

 

[Sanjay]

Thank you!!
Can i please ask why the shrimp or snails?? Ive not heard of that before??

 

[TallTree01]

Cos they clean up the food that falls to the bottom. Plus shrimp are fun to watch. The snails are only if your a total snail nut like me. ( see sig )

 

[Sanjay]

I see!!
Thank you so much for your advice - you have been a great help!!

 

[TallTree01]

Always willing to help out people and there fish.