PeteK

Thanks for the welcome and for both replies. This is a very new tank. It has been set up for two days with only the plants added beyond the substrate, decor, and equipment. I do realize I am a very long way from having anything close to a seasoned tank. I was thinking that getting some plant growth over the next month would get me to an environment where I could start introducing a couple fish while not having to stare at an empty tank fishless cycling. The water parameters I quoted match exactly what I get from my tap. I would think over time, the pH would drop further in the tank, hence my concerns about the KH reading and the possibility of a pH crash. Plus I figure, if the current water parameters are concerning enough to think about making changes to the chemistry, that it would be better to do that before introducing fish. With regard to crushed coral - my concern would be it increasing my GH even further, limiting stocking options. I have read some on the Indian Almond leaves as well, but wouldn't they counteract any adjustments crushed coral would make? I've seen additives such as Seachem alkaline buffer that claims to raise pH and KH, without impacting GH. But the instructions seem a bit confusing and I'm not sure if this is sustainable long term in the tank and if its the most cost effective choice. I'm guessing I could always leave well enough alone and just closely monitor the tank over time to see how it responds. Thanks for the advice on bettas and other fish. I had read the temperature range on bettas was a bit wider, from maybe 76F and up. Indeed if I have to keep them at 80 or more, that is going to limit my options. I was originally thinking to try and keep my tank at around 78F which would be a high end or beyond for some cories. I'll definitely consider ember tetras as I imagine my daughter would enjoy them.

Hi - I promised my 10 year old daughter a fish tank for her birthday with the original intent to set up a small 5 gallon to house a betta. This would be our first aquarium in our home. I last kept an aquarium over 15 years ago. During our planning stages, our 5 gallon blew up to a 20 long which is now setup with a pretty castle and a yellow submarine, as well as some live aquarium plants. The suggested skull was vetoed. While we wait for some plant growth to help season the tank, my daughter is eyeing friendly fish to live along with the betta. Plans are to slowly add fish and some bottled bacteria once our plants appear to have taken hold for the next month. In the meantime I ran some water tests using some coop test strips. It turns out my water is running pH around 6.4, but is quite hard with a GH reading somewhere between 150 and 300ppm - its hard to tell which purple is which! Oh, but my KH looks to be less than 40ppm. My first concern is that with the low buffering, my water is going to have a pH drop over time that will be hard to control. Does it make sense to add crushed coral or something to buffer the water now, or is it better to just let it ride and see how the water responds over time? Also, fish choices - is it a strange combination to have hard but acidic water? Is this going to limit what fish we can use in the tank? Some original thoughts to join a betta would be some cories as well as some tetras or rasboras. Are any of these going to be bothered by the water hardness? What would be a good fish to start this fish in cycle with? I appreciate any advice you have!