So... I haven't been here in, years, lol. But I remember that the top admins of this place are more fish than anything else. @Thor & @Ram, if you guys are still around, you'll be happy to hear that I finally transplanted my ~11-14 year old clown loach into a 65gal last year, all things going well. I am not sure what I really was afraid of, asides from maybe the work of it all, lol! Tank has more fish, all water parameters are good, better filtration, etc etc.
What I need info on is a new tank for the wife. She's always wanted a black ghost knife. So this as her Christmas present. I have a 35gal bowfront (~30"20"x20") with a fluval/aquaclear 70 (rated @ 300gph). So what I am trying to set up is a South American "blackwater-ish" type tank. Not a pure biotype, just a bit on the soft and acidic side. I've got a few bags of CaribSea's EcoComplete in there, seeded filtration, some almond leaves and driftwood to aid in tannins, and a moderate amount of plants. A decent amount of fish to get the cycle going as well. Been running 6 days, Ammonia is already dropping <.5 ppm, nitrites still high, but going down. SO the cycle is going well.
My question is on the plants, specifically in a soft, slightly acidic tank. I really want these to thrive, to make this whole thing complete. I am trying to get my head around the needed kH & gH in association with the pH of 6.6-6.8 I am shooting for, and how all this affects the plants. As well as what plants will do well in this setup, and the proper lighting. Then with the lighting, I've already got a sword with leaves that float on top of the water. Great for the fish, but the plants? I'd also like to add some type of lilies, e.g. dwarf, lotus, banana, etc), which could also block out some light. I currently have a ZooMed Flora Sun fluorescent bulb on the tank.
And @Ram, I remember not understanding your name. Or your avatar, lol! Except now, I have done more research into rams than I can spell out. Golds, Blues, German Blues, Electric blues, Balloons, etc etc, as that has now become the primary species I think I want in with the knife. There's a 1.2 group of "electric blue balloon" rams at a local LFS that I hope are still there once this tank finishes cycling so I can grab them all (I say this like I can properly sex cichlids, lol!)
