New 75 Gallon

[rdd1952]

I have decided on the fish for my new tank and now I need suggestions on plants to make them happy and comfortable. Below is what I plan to put in the tank, provided I can find them all locally or on line (at a decent price, shipping seems to be a killer online).

4 angels (species not determined yet - under 8")
4 German Blue Rams
12 tetras (species not determined yet - nothing nippy like serpaes)
6 corys, probably either pandas or swartz
2 dwarf plecos or bristlenose catfish

My tap water is very soft so I probably can't add CO2. KH & GH = 1, pH = 6.8.

I want a fully planted tank with good background to cover the entire back of the tank. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Discomafia]

You mention you'd like a planted tank but you also know that since your water is so soft, you can't add CO2... I have this same problem, and I read that epsom salt raises GH and PH. My numbers read 1 and 6.6 respectively... But I also read somewhere that it's not a good idea to use salt permanently. Anyone out there that uses epsom salt in their setup has any advice?

As for your plants, how much lighting do you have? Since your tank is 75 gallons, I'd think 2-3 wpg might be enough. I don't see any problems with fish selection, except for the angels getting aggresive during spawning, and I don't really know how aggresive rams usually are. Are you looking to get two pairs of each? And why only 2 BN plecos?

Have you thought of any ideas? Placements of plants/decor? Not sure what the addition of driftwood would do to your water readings... Decided on any plants for back/mid/foreground yet? Checked this out yet?

 

[rdd1952]

All I have for lighting right now is the single strip that came with the tank but I definitely will upgrade. Don't know that I will ever even put that one on the tank. It may be on Ebay soon.
I love tanks like the ones on your link. I can only dream of having one like those. Some of the plants I have found so far that I like are wisteria (have that in my 29 gallon, very easy to grow), moneywort, and amazon sword for background. I haven't really looked into much for mid-tank or front plants. I do know I want some big leaf plants for the corys to hide under. They do that in my 29 gal now.
The blue rams are listed as peaceful cichlids and stay under about 3". I'm not really looking to breed so I'm not concerned about male/female. As for the plecos, I will probably get 3 or 4. I may go with some of the algae eating catfish like bristlenose instead of plecos. As much as I want to get a lot of fish, I don't want to overstock and fight a constant battle with water conditions.
You mentioned driftwood. I love it but it tends to lower pH and KH so I have pretty much ruled real driftwood out but may get an artificial piece. They have some that looks very real. I can't use any kind of salt because of the corys. One of the best ways I have heard to raise your KH & pH is to add crushed coral to your filter bag with the carbon. You can also use aragonite sand. I think the fish I have picked out all prefer neutral to slightly acidic water anyway though so hopefully I won't have to worry.
Sorry this is so long.