http://forum.aqua-fish.net/ A forum devoted to aquarium fish, plants, techniques and fish keeping as a whole. en http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=i-m-new-to-live-plants-but-not-keeping-fish-i-want-small-schools-of-fish#1 Two days ago i converted my 29 gallon tall aquarium that has been established for 3 years into a live planted environment. I drained all the water; keeping 60% to refill the tank. I used 31 lbs. of black flourite for my substrate(Seachem-which I rinsed), on top of that i used 15lbs of white marine sand(Estes, silicon based, which i presoaked as directed). I upgraded my outdated lighting with a new light from Catalina(Solar T5 HO 2x24 watt, with one 67k and one 10k straight bulbs). I have a 3 stage aquaclear hang on filter good for up to 50 gallons. I went to my local fish store and purchased my plants ( some java fern, amazon swords, some spiral looking grasses, some stuff that looks a little like hornwort, a purple looking broad leafed plant thats beautiful, and another plant i cant remember what its called). I have several pieces of drift wood, but i'm planning on adding more since it helps to lower ph(which is a little high in my tank). I'm currently using peat in between two stages of my filters to help lower the ph level, which it has been helping dropping it from 8 to 7-7.2. Ideally I would like for it to be at 6.5. But would welcome advice on lowering ph. A main concern for me is my population of fish. I have 7 hatchet fish, 3 pristellas, 1 rasbora espei(planning on adding 5 more asap), 3 kuhli loaches, 1 rummy nose(planning on adding 3-5 more), 7 ghost shrimp(very tiny). I'm concerned because of the last 3 fish: redtailed shark, upside down catfish, bristlenose cat-----will the bristlenose and the catfish eat my plants? When the RTS is bigger will he harass my schooling fish to the point they don't school? What are some good fish for me to consider? I want a densely planted heavily populated tank? Any advice for growing my plants, and just aquascaping in general would be appreciated. Sorry i'm so long winded cmc1980cmc 2009-12-11 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=i-m-new-to-live-plants-but-not-keeping-fish-i-want-small-schools-of-fish#2 Bristlenose plecs will not damage your plants, you are restricting yourself by keeping a RTS in the tank as they become very territorial as they mature. mickey 2009-12-13 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=i-m-new-to-live-plants-but-not-keeping-fish-i-want-small-schools-of-fish#3 I currently have 3 small white clouds, several snails, and a cory cat. I have lots of live plants, so I like to keep the light on for longer periods during the day as they don’t get much natural light. Therefore, I have lots of algae growing. Would the bristlenose catfish be a suitable fish for my tank, even though I have a cory cat already? I’m interested in something that will eat mostly algae. http://www.carolinafishtalk.com/ chrlesdikkenson 2009-12-23 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=i-m-new-to-live-plants-but-not-keeping-fish-i-want-small-schools-of-fish#4 Bristlenose catfish get on fine with Corydoras, they are extremely peaceful and do not harrass other fish. mickey 2009-12-27