lol, the rest of the banter just aint me! you are good at banter Sally and you know it!!

have you decided on what fish yet

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not yet decided? will it depend on my water parameters? I like the cichlids, but having read some of the threads on here, they like a rocky environment and no plants, so not sure if they will suit my present setup. I like having a community tank, purely for the variety. So really looking to you guys for some advice on what fish to get as and when my tank is ready to welcome them. I just want my fish to be happy and healthy, I`m not a fish snob, so anything interesting and different that will thrive in the setup I have will make me happy. What do you have? I`ve seen some of your tanks, they are awesome! and your knowledge is far superior to mine, I dont wont to embark on a fish type that would be beyond my capabilities, but I would like something a little challenging

ooooh all these compliments, i am not used to it

Tetra's and a few "peaceful" cichlids like Bolivian Rams, that what i have

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Credit where credits due mate! tetras as in neon tetras? are harlequins in that group too? the rams sound good too. What would be a good bottom feeder, something to keep gravel clean. I know they dont do all the work, thats down to me ultimately, bristle nose, would they be ok? My Ph is quite high, do I need to adjust this before introducing fish, or do they adapt quite readily to different PH

bottom feeders, thats telboy's dept

ha ha

no seriously, harlequins are great, i have x6

i have pH of about 7.8, it's not a huge issue for Bristlenose the pH, thats my experience and from my own research.

I wouldnt adjust your pH at all, my view is either

(a) get RO water

or

(b) keep fish that can flourish ok in your normal tap water readings

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what do you think? be gentle, I`m still learning! LOL

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Whats RO water?
Just did water test, the nitrite has changed, surely not because of the prawns addition? its too early for the nitrobacter to be converting that soon, got at least another week or so havent I?

Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0.50ppm
Nitrate 160ppm!
Ph 7.6

tank looks good Sally, i'll give it the Fry Lover touch when i come up!

your nitrite reading has dropped right down, probably nothing to do with prawns and more to do with the fact your tank is nearly ready, especially seeing as your No3 (nitrAte) readings are so high

I suggest leaving the prawn/s in and thinking about adding fish this weekend!!!!

whooopeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

RO = Reverse Osmosis, basically a plumber comes round and services you, LOL

i dont know much about RO apart from all these touchy marine fish need it apparently!!!!

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tank looks good,FF, RO= reverse osmosis...super dooper filter, almost all badies are filtered so its almost pure water

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will my lfs give me some of that RO water? I dont have the spondoolies to get that sort of equipment yet
. I`m really surprised how quick the process has happened, I was expecting to wait weeks and weeks! but happy Days, some fishy friends at last! good timing too, theres bugger all on the box this weekend!!!!!LOL