jzal8

Okay, my tank is about 7.2 pH. Wanted to test before i replied. But that definitely makes me feel better. I'm new to this and have been treating aqadvisor as pretty authoritative.

Thats awesome. I was hoping to get 6 panda corys down the road, but was going to get the first group of fish and give them and the tank a few weeks before i do anything else. Thanks for the fish suggestions. My original intent was neon tetras and a pearl gourami, but ive come along to thinking i should just focus on getting the one "schooling" group and then see about some bottom feeders once everyone is settled. Going to look at espie rasboras as well! Edit: I see now these are the pork chop rasboras? It was a lower PH than other tank mates that concerned me. AqAdvisor says 6-6.5 My salvinia has been sprouting new leaves since last weekend. The other plants are all still acclimating, hoping to see new growth soon. Dosing easy green once a week. Ammonia has been down since Monday. Nitrites spiked but have been dropping and nitrates are starting to build. I've been changing water twice a week.

Thanks for the feedback. I definitely have my eye on the Chili Rasboras. In the end I think I just want to have a good number of species in mind and let my daughter browse the different varieties. Tetras, Rasboras, and male endlers. We'll see what pops for her and then I'll just adjust the amount based on the species she chooses. Or we'll see if that backfires haha. I appreciate the Salvinia feedback. I would prefer to have the top on, to protect the fish/snails from getting out, but also as a line of protection from curious toddlers.

Thank you for the feedback. Sounds like there isn't too much concern about adding a nerite snail at some point. My only concern there would be I have a rimless tank, and I am kind of doing a half top approach because I read that the Salvinia doesn't like to get wet or high humidity. I'll heed your advice on the shrimp. I really don't need to complicate things right now, so it sounds like good advice. I have never done any research or anything on Endlers and Guppies, mainly because I tuned things out thinking, "Nope, not breeding". But the recommendation of getting all males definitely makes it interesting. Because I avoided all that info the last few weeks, I know nothing. I appreciate the recommendation and will start reading/watching some info.

That sounds like a challenge for sure. It's got to be so hard watching from the sideline too! I've had a heck of a time explaining why its been 3 weeks since we've had a fish haha. But if we can make it through this, I think it will have been beneficial to see what it took. My plants are just showing signs of new growth so I'm giddy. Feels like we're turning a corner. I also think we're going to do 8 x cardinal tetras and 6 x panda corys. Considering a nerite snail and potential shrimp. Little concerned about over population of shrimp and escaping nerites though so still mulling it over.

Yes, that is actually a favorite of mine. Its a totally reasonable 2 hr activity with the kids with so many great exhibits to see. Fun fact, i went to a wedding there once where they rented it out after hours for the reception. That was so much fun strolling around with cocktails and apps

Thank you. I appreciate the encouragement!

Nice to meet you all, I've been lurking for a few weeks. I came into this whole aquarium world like many others, by giving my daughter a fish tank for her fifth birthday, and ritualistically killing every fish she got with it! We've ALL learned some important lessons haha. Today we have a 10 gallon tank, medium Aq Coop sponge filter, hyger 14W day/night cycle light, heater keeping it around 77F. So now about 4 weeks later, I've been allowing the 10 gallon tank I got her to cycle. I've removed the plastic plants and replaced them with: Micro swords Anubias petites Water Sprite Scarlet Temple Salvinia I've been doing water changes fairly frequently, finally now seeing nitrites and nitrates spiking. Waiting for signs of growth from the plants and the ammonia to start getting down to 0. My plan has been to do 1 x Nerite Snail 6 x Panda Cory's And then I would like to have a pack of small schooling/shoaling fish. I'd love suggestions. I've been leaning towards Neon Tetras, Cardinal Tetras, Chili Rasboras, or black tetras. Mostly trying to identify a fish small enough to keep about a dozen that will wow my daughter. In the end, Im hoping to give her a tank that amazes and educates her. Any advice is both appreciated and needed! Thanks! I've included a few pics of our work in progress :)