I realize they're not monsters but...

[zuesana]

I have a single apisto cacatuoides (double red or something like that) and he is absolutely gorgeous. I would like to get him some friends but am not sure what would go best with them...

I'll have him in a 28bowfront with an aqua clear 70 and Tahitian moon sand.

I plan to get a couple female apistos for him but as far as other species, I was thinking maybe some marble hatchets (there are no holes for them to jump out, made sure of it) and a school of neons or cardinals. Other than those two I have no idea what would look good.

I'd like to add some live plants in because I've read they like plants. However, I have never had any sort of planted tank before, always had the fake ones so any advice on what kind of plants would work best and how to keep them alive is welcome too.

One last thing....is there any way to get adequate filtration while at the same time trying to achieve minimal current in the tank from the filter waterfall? I've read that they don't like high current but am not too sure as to how to achieve that without just nixing the filter altogether.

 

[cacichlids]

You can reduce the amount of flow in your AC70 by moving the intake to the right. It will keep the water in the filter longer and filter it better, and it will also reduce the current quite a bit.

As for plants it will depend on your lighting... are you looking for a high tech planted tank or just a few low light plants to help with filtration?

 

[zuesana]

yeah...I do that for my axie too, I just didn't know if there was another trick to lessening the current from the water fall, like somehow attach a platform under the out to spread out the pressure or whatever, not sure as to which words to use, haha.

As far as plants go, I need to get a light for the tank because it currently does not have a light. (the tanks empty at the moment, its in the resealing process). I don't want a hugely involved planted tank until I can successfully keep the lower maintenance plants alive and well, so I would say at this point just some low light plants to help with filtration.
I had read into planted tanks and there were several articles that mentioned carbon dioxide injection and that kinda lost me... So whatever plants are good for beginners and will work with apistos.