Stocking Freshwater 55 Gallon?

[Kaitie]

I have a 55 gallon freshwater tank that uses the Walstad method and a 370GPH canister filter. Have had it up and running since September 2014 with no issues. It currently houses 5 rosy barbs, 11 glowlight tetras, and 2 Bristlenos plecos. I'm looking to add more to it now and diversify the tank a bit. 
 
[SIZE=13.3333px]I'm looking for more a hardy fish that can withstand some small fluctuations with the water levels, since I don't really check the levels that often. I also don't enjoy having live bearing fish. The tank is heavily planted and thriving, so fish that need a lot of open space would not do well. [/SIZE]
 
Thanks for any help!

 

[Munroco]

Dwarf Cichlids, cories, other types of tetra? Do you mean water properties? as I doubt if the actual levels will fluctuate. They may go down very slowly .Most shop bought fish can live in water that is not ideal, but that doesn't mean they should. Do you know your water parameters? I'm guessing its more likely a low PH with softer water as it is a dirted tank.

 

[Kaitie]

I'm probably thinking properties, and you are correct. We are on well water and the water has a very low ph (last time it was sent off to be checked it was in the high 5's) and is soft. I do a 25% water change every 6-8 months or so, but other than that, just top it off when it gets low. 

 

[Munroco]

I've read a little about the walstad method. Am I right in saying that you can get away without doing water changes if you can get it right?
 
It seems like the water you have would be perfect for apistos, cories, tetras, in fact most South American fish.

 

[Kaitie]

I've read a little about the walstad method. Am I right in saying that you can get away without doing water changes if you can get it right?
 
It seems like the water you have would be perfect for apistos, cories, tetras, in fact most South American fish.

 
You are correct. The basic idea is that the tank becomes a sustainable, stable ecosystem where the fish and plants are able to balance each other out. You need to have a heavily planted tank for it to work properly. I practiced on a 20 gallon for a few years before stepping up to the 55, and eventually want to go bigger. 

 

[fluttermoth]

Could you get the water tested now and post the results; just a snapshot of how hard or soft your water is, what the pH is like and how high or low the nitrate levels are will help us recommend some suitable species
 
Do you have sand or gravel?

 

[Kaitie]

Could you get the water tested now and post the results; just a snapshot of how hard or soft your water is, what the pH is like and how high or low the nitrate levels are will help us recommend some suitable species

 
Do you have sand or gravel?

 
I will go ahead and order a better test kit and update when received. The ground is soil with a layer of gravel. 

 

[Kaitie]

Update: PH is reading at 6, but could be a little lower. Ammonia-0ppm, Nitrite -0ppm, Nitrate-somewhere between 10 and 20ppm.

 

[TekFish]

Most of the Apistogramma species would work.