here is what I am thinking based on feedback so far
OK so here is what I am thinking:
14 Cardinal Tetra
5 Boesemani Rainbows
4 Sailfin Mollys (1M:3F)
4 Fancy Guppies (1M:3F)
5 Panda Corys
5 Amano Shrimp
lots of MTS...from live plants
Stats are saying:
Recommended temperature range: 77 - 80.6 F
Recommended pH range: 6.4 - 7.5
Recommended hardness range: 5 - 15 dH (I don't know how to measure this?!?)
Your aquarium filtration capacity for above selected species is 122%.
Recommended water change schedule: 42% per week.
Your aquarium stocking level is 129%.
Image of tank attached. I am planning on hardy plants, floating plants for fry, and space for the mid-level swimmers to roam around.
I am banking on the Amano Shrimp, Panda Corys, and the free MTS to keep the algae down.
I am still doing the fishless cycle (4ppm Ammonia is my base). While it is technical possible to add all the fish at once when done I do not think I will for various reasons including $$ and fish availability.
What order should I add them? I was going to wait on the shrimps for ~6 months - another member suggested the biofilm needs to build up and ~6 months was the recommendation and that seemed to make sense.
Thoughts?
BTW - how do you measure hardness? I own the API Master Kit for the other essentials.
Thanks,
-GD_007