I had started my 29 gal tank two weeks ago with 2 gold gouramis and 2 paradise fish. The water readings were very stable (0 amm, 0 nitrite, 12.5 nitrate) for over a week, so a couple of days ago, we added 3 ruby barbs.
However, the paradise fish were too aggressive toward each other and the other fish. One of the gouramis was aggressive to the other. And the ruby barbs were way too hyper. So yesterday, all the fish except for one gold gourami went back to the LFS. I had to tear up the tank and remove all the plants, both live and fake, to catch those hyperactive barbs. They are super-fast and good at hiding. What a frustrating mess, and the tank got all clouded from all the upheaval.
I returned from the LFS with 3 brilliant rasboras and 2 upside down catfish. So far, so good (fingers crossed). Eventually, I want to add a bousemani rainbow and a ram (which ram is undecided).
(Later that same day...)
I tested the water and the numbers are the same as they have been since I first added the fish. The numbers have never strayed significantly from these:
Temp=77
pH=8.0 (fluctuates between 7.5 and 8.0)
GH=9
KH=3 (fluctuates between 2 and 3)
NH3=0
NO2=0
NO3=12.5
However, the paradise fish were too aggressive toward each other and the other fish. One of the gouramis was aggressive to the other. And the ruby barbs were way too hyper. So yesterday, all the fish except for one gold gourami went back to the LFS. I had to tear up the tank and remove all the plants, both live and fake, to catch those hyperactive barbs. They are super-fast and good at hiding. What a frustrating mess, and the tank got all clouded from all the upheaval.
I returned from the LFS with 3 brilliant rasboras and 2 upside down catfish. So far, so good (fingers crossed). Eventually, I want to add a bousemani rainbow and a ram (which ram is undecided).
(Later that same day...)
I tested the water and the numbers are the same as they have been since I first added the fish. The numbers have never strayed significantly from these:
Temp=77
pH=8.0 (fluctuates between 7.5 and 8.0)
GH=9
KH=3 (fluctuates between 2 and 3)
NH3=0
NO2=0
NO3=12.5