Soft water fish for 20 gallon tank

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bethie_dawn

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Jul 2, 2006
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I got a 20 gallon tank and stand at a yard sale that I have cleaned and am planning to setup. My question is that my home well water is very soft and has a low ph so instead of fighting it I plan on finding fish that will fit my tank and water. I know rams with go but is there anything else that will go other than rams.
Also wanted to know if I do get rams what can I put with them.
thanks so much
 
Not to shoot down your idea, but most water softeners have a bypass valve where you can get untreated water. Just food for thought.
 
Any 1male/2female combinations of SA dwarf cichlids would be great in there. You could also do a bunch of cories instead of the cichlids, they would be a hoot to watch. Hatchets are good fish for the top waters, tetras would be great, also don't forget the algae eaters - otos.
Cathy
 
She didn't say she had a water softener, just that she had soft water. I wish I had soft water. I'd get a school of either Lemon Tetras or rummy-nose tetras and then rams. That is what I'd get. You also could get some gouramis--they like soft water as well. Rasbora Espeiis would also be nice. Soft water is good for a number of species, black water biotopes have softwater and some colorful fish.
 
sarcare said:
She didn't say she had a water softener, just that she had soft water.
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Sorry, I assumed that since it was from a well, it was softened water. Without a location disclosed, it's tough to tell what characteristics her native water supply will have.
 
Truth is, a larger percentage of common aquarium fish prefer softer, acidic water than those who prefer harder, alkaline water. So your options are huge.

Here is a short list, just off the top of my head, of popular fish who prefer soft water -

angels / discus - and many other SA cichlids
gouramis
bettas
most barbs, tetras, danios, rasboras
SAEs

And those who do well in soft water -
corydoras
otocinclus
loaches


So as you can see, most fish are either native to very soft waters, or will do well in them.

The only fish who don't like soft water are generally african cichlids and livebearers.

But these are only generalizations. I would say it's always best to look up the individual needs of each species you plan to keep.
 
The water is not conditioned it just comes up that way. I live in Arkansas so that maybe why. I tried guppies and they all died. I believe it was because my water was to soft. I am going to test my water and get back on here later and post the results. Also does anyone know if I can put killifish with rams. I know that killifish like to stay at the top of the tank and rams like the lower part but that is about all I know about killifish other than the way they breed.
Thanks for the help
 
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