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Date:	6/19/2013 11:07:15 PM
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Hi, I agree with your LFS, you don't need to worry about hardness with domesticated fish as much as long as there are no extremes either end. I consider my water extreme soft which is why I have fish that prefer it. Regarding the dry-start method, I did that with my nano dsm 2.5 gal. Many aquatic plants we buy are actually started emergent which is a dry start. The soil or aquatic substrate is kept wet with plants planted in it but the tank is not flooded yet. I glass top is best to keep it humid and with artificial or window light the plants will grow like crazy :). After about a month or when there is good roots established you than flood with tank water. At this stage is it also cycled. We have information on it right here as well as other websites. http://www.fishchannel.com/fish-magazines/aquarium- -fish-international/december-2011/dry-start-method- .aspx Not all plants work with this such as delicate stem plants but many do. I used crypts, African fern, Anubias and Pygmy sword among others. My Bolivian Ram is in my Chocolate Delight 50 gal setup :). I used to have chocolate gourami in that one hence the name. I never planned for a ram in this tank as it was setup with all tiny fish in mind but my mother needed to re-home him from her 20 gal long where he was unhappy. He has bloomed in my 50 and over all does not bother my other fish :) The Discus are over all peaceful but they are cichlids and can become aggressive with territory issues as they mature.... With your tall tank why not utilize all 3 depths? Here is one idea I found online: ------------ 37 gallon (same footprint as a 29 but taller.) I like my choices here because the whole tank is used and the species are peaceful together. 3-Botia Striata on the bottom 3-Gold Barbs, use the middle of the tank mainly, with trips up and down 6-Blue danios, mainly hang out in the upper section but do venture down when they feel like it. Cherry shrimp ------------- You could plan something similar utilizing all levels - just be sure the bio load isnt over what a 29 gal can do as the 37 is just taller and doesn't allow more fish than a 29 can handle - unless you do lots of large water changes :) And instead of Cory or loaches at bottom maybe get a pair of Rams or Kribensis with smaller schooling fish for middle and upper levels such as the 5 banded Barb for middle to bottom (alternative to aggressive tigar barb ;) hatchet, danio or emerald eye Rasbora top area.... It is always so exciting setting up a new tank. Wish I was :). Keep me updated!
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