What are the tank dimensions (length x width x height)?
What is the
GH (general hardness),
KH (carbonate hardness) and pH of your water supply?
This information can usually be obtained from your water supply company's website (Water Analysis Report) or by telephoning them. If they can't help you, take a glass full of tap water to the local pet shop and get them to test it for you. Write the results down (in numbers) when they do the tests. And ask them what the results are in (eg:
ppm, dGH, or something else).
Depending on what the
GH of your water is, will determine what fish you should keep.
Angelfish, discus, most tetras, most barbs, Bettas, gouramis, rasbora, Corydoras and small species of suckermouth catfish all occur in soft water (
GH below 150ppm) and a pH below 7.0.
Livebearers (guppies, platies, swordtails, mollies), rainbowfish and goldfish occur in medium hard water with a
GH around 200-250ppm and a pH above 7.0.
If you have very hard water (
GH above 300ppm) then look at African Rift Lake cichlids, or use distilled or reverse osmosis water to reduce the
GH and keep fishes from softer water.
There are no fish that eat waste. Most bottom dwelling fishes will pick up uneaten food but only if they like it. If you have uneaten food in the tank, syphon it out and feed less next time.
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