Neebs's apisto tank setup

[Neebs]

Hi guys,

I had poisoned and decided to convert my current tank to keeping a pair Apistogramma. Before getting a pair, I had few doubts of my tank conditions and looking to improve it. Please help to advice as much as possible.

a) Providing more hiding area; considering getting more woods and plant at the right back of the tank. Any idea what plant should I consider?

b) Low PH; the soil I am using are ADA Amazonia mix w/ some other soils, which is totally opposite from what it needed to obtain a low ph. How can I obtain a lower PH beside kelapang leave (do not want to turn the water to yellowish for my personal viewing pleasure)? I read some in internet mention “sodium bisulfate” can help to lower the ph; anyone know where I can get? Is this safe to use?

c) Fauna; currently occupied with 2 otos, 19 neon tetra and 2 corys. I am considering to add more algae crews such as snails. I read somewhere did mention about apisto are snail eater. Is this true?

Current tanks conditions:
20130510_220516.jpg

[stormhawk]

Vallisneria or giant hairgrass for the back area. They like hiding places and if you can keep the Vallisneria or water wisteria in check, it would be a great and simple choice for their tank.

If you want to reduce the pH via chemical means then try those water softeners or pH adjusters from the LFSes like GC, C328 etc. I would personally use filter peat but since you dislike the brownish color then don't use it. ADA Amazonia will keep the pH low for some time. Usually their effect is gone after 2 years or so of usage. It is not necessary to drive the pH down so low. Most of them will accept pH around 6.5 to 7 without much fuss.

Apistos only go for small snails like baby button and pond snails. They are usually not very successful at this except for maybe the smallest of the snails. In a tank of this size, the use of Nerites would be a safe bet.