I guess I'll put this in the right forum

[medic8ted]

I posted most of this in another forum with a question but I thought I'd put it here in the right place. I have a 35g tank which has been up and running well for 6+months. The whole set up was bought used so I couldn't do a proper cycle initially as it came with 3 fish (1 giant danio, 2 plecos). I re-used the gravel, filters, biowheel, and about 30% of the water from the previous owner. I have had several plants and they are growing well. Last week added several more plants that are growing well too.

Parameters: Ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate around 20 consistently since day 1, PH 6.0, hardness not tested but we'll talk about that and PH below. 1 tsp aquarium salt per gallon, thats what LFS uses and seems to be keeping everyone happy.

Fish: 1 common pleco 6", 2 giant danios, 2 platys, 3 female balloon mollies, 1 male black molly, 1 oto, 1 clown loach, 1 black fin catfish, 2 dwarf frogs. Have had several more black mollies but they all died fairly quickly, I think they were sickly when I got them. 1 giant danio (the original) recently committed suicide by jumping out through a 2"x6" opening in the lid and went unnoticed all day (my dogs aren't very observant) and 1 oto disappeared, never to been seen again, but had been really annoying the pleco by trying to suck algae off his head all the time. I would have taken him out too. The 2nd original pleco was traded in to the LFS due to the size of the tank not able to hold both when full grown.

Plants: 1 anubia, several vals, anacharis, swords, and java ferns. No fake plants anymore. No co2.

Parameters have been stable since day 1 except for the PH and hardness. I have very soft municipal water and very low PH. I put 2 limestone rocks from my neighbors driveway in the back of the filter in hopes to raise hardness and PH but only hardness has risen ( you can tell by just touching the water). All life, flora and fauna, seems to be healthy and happy so I don't plan to change anything.

I have had 2 outbreaks of Ich which were treated unsuccessfully after 2 weeks with chemicals and cured in 4 days with salt and heat. No other disease outbreaks thus far (knock on wood).

Please let me know any suggestions or constructive criticisms. Remember, all the fish are acting normally (except the suicide of the danio).

[Reefing Madness]

[SuckMyCichlids]

Your common pleco will outgrow that tank as well but other than that the best of wishes and welcome to the site

[Summer]

welcome!