*sniff, sniff* water vs species issues

[pica_nuttalli]

anyways... so I've got this new 60 gal, right, and in my enthusiasm bought a humongoid chuck of driftwood to go in it -- completely forgetting that the tannin leach would lower my tap water's neutral pH. Anyways, I threw in some baking soda to counteract the low pH/buffering and its working so far (2 days). but the pH is still rather low.

I realize that fighting the natural water chemistry is pretty much a losing battle. Fortunately I only own the one species at current that can't handle between 6.2 and 6.8. Unfortunately, that fish are my beloved fancy guppies, friend and food source. My guppies are beautiful and sweet-natured white lyre/swordtails, but mostly they exist to shoot out little feeders. Plus I really, really want some German Rams and they *like* acidic water. So I need to figure out a replacement species.

The question becomes: what can I get to slowly replace my guppies? I need something that breeds like crazy, is quick on it's feet, is a terrible parent, and likes mildly acidic water. (I realize this last criterion rules out pretty much all the livebearers.)

My current list o' fish & etc:
-- 1 Colomesus Assellus (had him for 1 yr, excellent disposition)
-- 1 Albino Common Pleco (8 inches)
-- 1 Otocinclus
-- 2 Kribensis
-- 1 Bristlenose Pleco
--12 Guppies (population subject to change)
--Plenty of pond, Malaysian, and Ramshorn snails

Also, I read about someone breeding Dwarf Puffers in a tiny tank (21 liters)? The guy had all sorts of pics up, so I doubt its a hoax... Does anyone think that a small fleet of dwarves would do ok with everyone else? (I'd give up on Rams for Dwarves...)

P.S.
(1) YES I'VE CYCLED THE TANK. I used an obscene amount of snails, dirty tank water, and plants. I ran the thing for close to two weeks after the cycle ended before putting in any fish.
(2) I've yet to throw in anything beyond my ill-fated guppies. They had to go in b/c my bf needed his turtle tank back.
(3) I put in about 2 teaspoons of baking soda to I guess an actual 55 gallons of water, resulting in the aforementioned 6.2 to 6.8 pH. (I've been keeping the tank slightly underfilled to increase aeration.)

 

[Polardbear]

So why not remove the chunk of driftwood and do a massive water change?

 

[NinjaSmurf]

My guppies liked it when I put driftwood in the tank, I don't see why this would be a huge problem... They can get used to it I'm guessing, I don't see why not...

 

[astroboy]

Fish can acclimate and handle a very wide range of ph.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

actually, i'm really hesitant to get rid of the driftwood b/c of the plecos, who need the roughage and a good thing to hide behind. i'm going to keep my guppies; the biggest issue is that fish don't breed as well outside their ranges. guppies do best in hard water with a alkaline pH and a bit of salt. i have soft water with an acidic pH and minimal salt. yes, they can "get used to it" but it will make them more susceptible to stress and impair their ability to breed.

My guppies liked it when I put driftwood in the tank, I don't see why this would be a huge problem... They can get used to it I'm guessing, I don't see why not...

Don't anthropomorphize your fish too much. My bf was charmed by the affection of kissing gouramis, until I explained that kiss is an attempt to rip off scales and gouge eyeballs. Another friend I know killed a huge sucession of bumblebee gobies, thinking they were "excited" when he added too much salt at once. Fish are fish - they don't jump around when they're happy, they drop more fry and have richer colors.

 

[SarahBravo]

My guppies are in a pH of between 8.5 and 9 - waaaaay off their so called comfortable level. They're happy, they're horny and they're breeding like crazy!! All I do is chuck a bit of flake at them every now and again! I think they can acclimatise to a very varied range, and it's probably water quality, non crowding and good nutrition that makes the difference.

Sarah

 

[gwlee7]

actually, i'm really hesitant to get rid of the driftwood b/c of the plecos, who need the roughage and a good thing to hide behind. i'm going to keep my guppies; the biggest issue is that fish don't breed as well outside their ranges. guppies do best in hard water with a alkaline pH and a bit of salt

Not to be a kill joy but plecos aren't particularly fond of salt are they?

 

[NinjaSmurf]

I don't anthropomorphize my fish thank you, I do, however, notice when they are more active, eat better, have sex more often, don't hide, don't start showing signs of stress and don't get sick. This is what told me that putting driftwood in my tank was good for them, not that 'my little guppies were smiling away and singing happily'. I know my tank isn't The Little Freaking Mermaid, I was using common speak that most people seem to understand. Don't get anal retentive about it

 

[pica_nuttalli]

--EDITED B/C I SOUND LIKE A MORON--