Soft water fish for 20 gallon tank

[bethie_dawn]

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

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

If you are looking at something non-/\/\onster, then you may want to check out our sister site www.aquariacentral.com for a more community-fish-oriented audience. For a nice community tank I think neon tetras would work great. A planted tank would be awesome Depending on your gH, you may want to buffer your water with some peat to avoid a pH crash.

HarleyK

 

[id10t]

When my well pump died a few years ago, I had them put in a faucet right at the pump to fill my pool with. I use the same faucet for filling my tanks, so I get straight well water before it hits the house softener unit.

 

[bethie_dawn]

The water does not go through a softner. I live in Arkansas and the well water here is just soft. I know that there are alot of fish like the ram that like soft water. I am just not sure what all there are and what kinds that rams can go in with the tank being a 20 gallon.

 

[davo]

amazon fish. small Loricariid's like ancistrus sp or Chaetostoma sp or Otocinclus sp

 

[softturtle]

You should check out some apistogramma sp. They stay pretty small and most like soft water. Although they stay small, some can get pretty aggressive. So, a 20 gal might be a bit small, but I have seen them breed in less.

This site is pretty informative- http://www.apistogramma.com/cms/

 

[cbfreder]

Go planted! Get about 5 glass catfish and an oto or two. Tie java fern to some driftwood and get something floating. Easy foray into plants and really neat fish.

Brandon

 

[sprayin70]

I agree. Planted is great! I am going to set up a planted 29 when I combine my 2 reef tanks. Yoou could always buy some neons or my absolute fav a Blue Ram. Drool!

 

[Miles]

Planted.. Apistogrammas and Cardinals.

 

[Peanut_Power]

Definately go planted...!! Chain swords, java ferns, watersprite...all would go awesomely in that tank!! As for fish...your possibilites are endless! But I'll give you a few ideas of some setups that would look awesome

Option #1:
3 Krobia sp. 'xingu orange spot'
5 Penguin Tetras
5 Assort. Cory cats.
2 Otocinclus

Option #2:
2 Crenicichla regani
5 Serpae Tetras
3 Assort. Cory cats.
1 Bristlenose pleco.

Option #3:
2 Crenicichla compressiceps
5 Blue and Red Flame Tetras
3 Assort. Cory cats
1 Bristlenose pleco.

Option #4:
5 Broken-line Tetras
6 Cardinal Tetras
4 Emperor Tetras
6 Assort. Cory cats
3 Otocinclus