So, some of you may have read my posts in the emergency forum where i had 8 fish die over less than two months with no apparent cause. my levels had been ok, my pH a little high but nothing dangerous. as of a month ago, i was down to two swordtails (they didn't die 
) and was planning on starting over. i have done so.
i did a complete water change, rinsed my gravel substrate and decorations (rocks and live plants) and rinsed my filter in the old water (in hopes of avoiding having to cycle it again. i got water from a different source (i'm actually buying it now, i don't like the water options i have otherwise) and my pH is now about 7.8. since i did a complete water change, measuring levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate isn't saying much yet, with all reading 0 (two swordtails don't do that mauch to a 29 gal tank in two weeks). hopefully this doesn't mean the bacteria all died. however, yesterday i added a 5 inch pleco (yes, i know my tank won't be big enough for him as he grows, but i will be getting a bigger tank before he out grows this one) and 5 tiger barbs. they are still alive this morning and look happy. i also added a few more plants and bought a piece of driftwood which is currently soaking to remove tannins before adding it to the tank.
i am planning on getting more barbs and i'd like a few more swords, but what else would go well in this tank?
and please don't bother telling me i shouldn't have the pleco. opinions differ on this topic and i'm not going to change my mind.
) and was planning on starting over. i have done so.i did a complete water change, rinsed my gravel substrate and decorations (rocks and live plants) and rinsed my filter in the old water (in hopes of avoiding having to cycle it again. i got water from a different source (i'm actually buying it now, i don't like the water options i have otherwise) and my pH is now about 7.8. since i did a complete water change, measuring levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate isn't saying much yet, with all reading 0 (two swordtails don't do that mauch to a 29 gal tank in two weeks). hopefully this doesn't mean the bacteria all died. however, yesterday i added a 5 inch pleco (yes, i know my tank won't be big enough for him as he grows, but i will be getting a bigger tank before he out grows this one) and 5 tiger barbs. they are still alive this morning and look happy. i also added a few more plants and bought a piece of driftwood which is currently soaking to remove tannins before adding it to the tank.
i am planning on getting more barbs and i'd like a few more swords, but what else would go well in this tank?
and please don't bother telling me i shouldn't have the pleco. opinions differ on this topic and i'm not going to change my mind.
