Tank Rescue-advice and opinions needed

[jenricae]

I've got a 35 gal long tank that had fallen into quite a mess. I want to restock it.

1. Background:
I've had the tank for 3 years. Over the last year i've really been bad about maintaining it. I had 1 gourami, 1 tiger barb and 1 bengal loach survive for over 2 years. This fall, the Barb and Gourami dropped from the scene. The tank was overrun by algae (hair, bushy, black) and Malaysian trumpet snails. The Bengal Loach (Botias Dario) is the sole survivor along with the algae and MTS.

2. The current situation:
I've been doing water changes and maintaining the tank and filter regularly now for a few weeks.

I've also done water testing over the past couple of weeks. They are as follows:

29 Dec 05: PH=8.0 (maybe 7.8), KH=70ppm, GH=220ppm (rougly 12dGH?), Ammonia=0, Nitrate=10ppm

WATER CHANGE

02 Jan 06: PH=8.0, KH=60ppm, GH=220ppm, Ammonia=0, Nitrate=20ppm, Nitrite=0

05 Jan 06: PH=8.0, KH=70ppm, GH=220ppm, Ammonia=0, Nitrate=10-20ppm, Nitrite=0

WATER CHANGE

08 Jan 06: PH=8.0, KH=60ppm, GH=180ppm, Ammonia=0, Nitrate=20-30ppm, Nitrite=0

TAP WATER: PH=7.8-8.0, KH=60ppm, GH=100ppm

how do these water readings look?

3. Going Forward:

I'd like to start slowly restocking the tank. I need advice on tankmates.

Cleanup crew:
a. BENGAL LOACH (BOTIAS DARIO): give the current one some company (i'm thinking 3 more)
b. Siamese algea eaters or
c. Bristlenose Pleco

Midsize:
a. Black Mollies (2)
b. Bolivian Ram (2) (or a pair of Ram Cichlid?)
c. Dwarf Neon Rainbow (4)

small:
a. Leopard Danios
b. Harlequin Rasbora

large:
a. Pearl Gourami (2) or
b. Moonlight Gourami

Any advice or opinions or other stocking suggestions? I really don't know much about cichlids. are there any that would go with my setup?

[ron v]

Rift lake cichlids would do well. My advise would be to stick with "hard" water fish.

[jenricae]

Any suggestions of what cichlids? is there any good sites that i can check out?