Water Parameters

[Markw19]

I'm starting a 55gal tank, and I've been doing some research on the fish I'm going to keep

1 x rainbow shark
3 x clown loach
1 x school 10 rummynose tetras
1 x school 5 neon tetras
1 x pleco (L134)
2 x swordtails

I've come to the conclusion I'll keep the temperature at 25°C (77°F), pH should be ok out of my tap at 6.8-7.2, and DKH at about 3-4 (hopefully my tapwater will come out at this without the need for buffer).

From the fish above, according to liveaquaria.com, all but the neon tetras (which require a lower DKH at 1-3) require a higher DKH (8-12), but if my water comes out at 3-4 which I'm hoping it will, will I be ok to keep it at that and not need to raise it buffering? I'm told that even though it says it on the liveaquaria website, all the fish will be just fine at a "normal" lower DKH?

Do you think these water parameters will be ok?

 

[Ethos]

As far as the stocking goes, it looks great. I don't know anything about the rainbow shark, but otherwise...
And the tetras are pretty hardy, so i think you'll be fine off.

 

[love cichlids]

Neon tetras are not very hardy fish, you will need to have a cycled tank for awhile before getting the tetras you want. A common pleco might be to big when fully grown for your tank, maybe i am wrong, but i have heard they can get quite large. There are smaller types you can get. Can't remember the names.
http/www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/rainbow.xml
check this out about the rainbow shark, doesn't sound like it will be compatible.
Looks like cichlids and tiger barbs are the way to go if you want the rainbow shark

 

[osteoporoosi]

Are you planning to upgrade once the clown loaches start growing? If not, I would scratch them off the list. Clown loaches are schooling fish, and they grow up to 10-12 inches!

Neon tetras are cooler water fish than L-134 pleco. Cardinal teras are as pretty but live in warmer water.

Swordtails prefer much harder water than the other fish and your tap water. They also prefer bigger groups.

My suggestion;
15 cardinal tetras
25 rummynoses
1 L-134
6 female bettas

Let us know what coclusion you will come to.

 

[thapsus]

Neontetras will thrive in that kind of water so no problem. How ever I would take much bigger shoal of them. That way the will show their finest color and be much more braver so you can see them more often.

About the stocking. I would leave clown loaches off too. They grow way too big and would like to have bigger shoal. I would not take rainbow shark either. It grows big and can be very aggressive.

I would take 15 rummynoses and 15 neon tetras or cardinal tetras like osteoporoosi said, if you want that pleco. Ir your GH is not over 8 dGH, I would leave swordtails out because they need alkaline and hard water. I would take a shoal of corys or bittbull plecos and maybe some gouramy.

 

[love cichlids]

Yes i agree about swordtail, I never had success with them, or guppies either.