Hello once again

**roy** · 20th Sep 2010, 11:47

Hi all,

I was somewhat active in AQ many years ago. Had a 5ft planted tank with CO2 injection, canister filters MH lights and the works.

Some years ago, everthing was strippped and most things given away when I was posted overseas and rented out my apartment. Now I don't travel and in a very different place in life and career-wise so decided start up a new tank again.

Currently, I'm starting with a smaller 2.5 ft 125 litres aquarium. Still opting for planted aquarium with small community fishes. Trying to keep things simple and easy to work with. I was thinking of a low tech planted tank but still toying with the idea of using presurised CO2 to lower the PH. Sigh... low tech doesn't mean easier or cheaper...

I may have met some of the old timers. I remembered this guy who kept wild dicus and stayed at Bukit Merah. The point block behind the shimmering white temple. I was the slim tall guy i.e over 6' tall who lived in Toa Payoh. Perhaps someone remember me?

Nowadays, I'm trying to work within constraints. Resons being - I've developed some physical disabilities, smaller apartment and smaler pay cheque, etc. MY aim is to keep things as simple as aquatically possible, populate with low maintenance, slow growing plants and low bioload.

The stats of my tank:

2.5 Ft tank setup, 2X 28 watts T5 hood lights, Internal Filter ciculates @ 400 litres per hour - Set up 3 days ago.
Aqua soil bottom layer and 1-2 mm gravel on top. View from top about 75% of gravel area covered with plants.
Newly planted plants include Java moss, Java ferns and Cryptocoryne wendtii
3 small feeder fishes to help cycle the tank
Water temperature ranges from 28 to low 29 degrees C
ph 7
KH 3 - adding 1 teaspoon of baking soda each day to try to raise KH to 6 or 7
Fishes would be south American community fishes and perhaps a breeding pair of apisto.

Can someone suggest a good way to lower PH without CO2? The fishes I wish to keep strive at 6 to 6.5 PH.

Are there any glaring errors in my approach? please point out so i can rectify before things go out of control.

Btw, I may opt for a moss only tank. Where can I get US Fissidens?

Thanks and good to be back.