PLEASE help with SA water parameters...

[snytiger_92]

Please help with the following:
I have just started up a new tank - 30 gallon cube.
In the tank so far:
1. Emperor 280
2. Heater
3. 20 lbs Eco-Complete underneath 20 lbs of Tahitian Moon Sand
4. R/O Water and two gallons conditioned-tap (my tap water is off the charts pH, hardness, etc.)
5. per instructions from LFS - 2 teaspoons of Baking soda
6. water temp - 77-78 degrees
7. Greg Watson dry ferts on the way
8. 65-Watt CF light on the way (thanks to advice from a kind soul on this site!)
9. gH / kH test kit on the way

I want a heavily planted South American tank - 2 Bolivian Rams (m and f), and five neon tetras (or some other tetra)

Questions:
1. Is Kent R/O Right worth the money?
2. Is Kent Black Water worth the money?
3. What water parameters do I need for the ideal set-up?
- pH - ?
- gH - ?
- kH - ?
4. any other advice?

Thanks guys!

 

[PurpleSmurf]

There are several SA biotopes. This should help you out: http://fish.mongabay.com/biotope.htm

 

[snytiger_92]

Thank you PurpleSmurf. The site is awesome!
Have a great day.