new tank: cycling & pH

[Apache]

Howdy all,
We are planning on getting a freshwater 75 gal tank soon. I pretty much understand that I can use the filter media and some old gravel etc. from the exsisting tank to quickly cycle the new tank (although will need to read up on specifics).

But here is my main question. For the new tank, we'd like to keep some Rams, but also move our Plecs and corys from the exsisting tank to the new 75g. But from what I understand the Rams need a lower pH than what the plecs and corys are used to (generally it's b/w 7.2 - 7.5). So, how to cycle the new tank, while getting a lower pH without killing the plecs and corys? Should we add the plecs and corys after the cycle, then gradually lower the pH and then add the Rams? If so, how to go about that? Any ideas, thoughts, help is appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[Fat Boy]

Hi Apache, If I were you I wouldn't go around messing with your PH, in my experience it causes more harm than good, most fish can adapt to a slighty different PH. I believe Rams need a neutral PH and yours isn't to far off, as for cycling your new tank you're correct, adding some gravel and filter media from an established tank will help speed the cycling time up, add the fish the same time as the gravel and media ( not allowing the benifical bacteria to die ) just add a few fish at a time ( say 3 or 4 a week ) HTH.

 

[keeper-of-fish]

I agree with fat boy totaly eveything he said I agree with and do

 

[Apache]

Ok, that's good to know, but we had planned on adding a small piece of driftwood (about 6" high and about 2" in diameter) to the new tank which will drop the pH (not sure how much though). Will that be something to be concerned with or will it not make much of a difference in a 75gal tank? Thanks!

Oh, and which fish would you recommend putting in first, the corys or the plecs (see my sig below)? As they're both pretty sensitive...

 

[Fat Boy]

I would add the Corys first then a Plec every 7 days or so. The drift wood shouldn't make much difference in a tank that size. Best of luck and I hope you enjoy your new tank.