With the numbers, you have to get a special GH/KH test kit from API. I've seen Bloodfins in my Petsmart, otherwise an LFS might have them. Ultimately, don't worry if you can't find Bloodfins 'cause it sounds like neons will do fine too. :)

Oh okay, where do I find them though? People keep telling me to get something and I cannot eÿ them anywhere. If I can I will get the bloodfin Tetra, that is if I can find them.

I have no idea what the numbers, where can I find them?

The Bloodfin can tolerate up to 9.0 ph and 20 degrees hardness. Uhm, scientific name is aphyocharax anisitsi ('cause there's another fish also called bloodfin that is different). Hmm. Interestingly, what I'm reading is that neons can tolerate up to 8.0 and a hardness of 25 degrees so you should be fine if you get those. Same with peppered cories.

I had panda cories and they did NOT do well in my alkaline water. Sadly, it took the deaths of about 10 of them before I realized that. :( Sorry, my pandas! As for tetras, I have neons and rummynoses and all are doing well. But I also have a household water softener so my water from the kitchen sink is really soft but really alkaline. I was told at one of my LFS that of the two params, it's best to try and match the hardness one.

Do you know what your hardness is in specific degrees? You might be better off with some of the African tetras who come from hard waters, instead of the usual south American ones like neons.

This is annoying, I want neons but h want them to live fine. Crayfish are interesting but I can't have fish or plants really which sucks as I don't want plastic plants. Grr I hate this... Any ideas? Don't you have a type of tetra and have had cories before?

Thanks, Kfry. Just as you posted that they sent my password.

Uhm, yes, neons and cories do best in soft, acid water. So, in fact, do gouramis. So one thing you might try is using peat in the filter or using a commercial peat extract like Kent's Blackwater Expert. This tints the water tea-colored, softens the water, and also lowers the pH (although not by much, sadly - it lowered mine from 8 to 7.8).

The cories will probably do okay because peppered cories are very hardy but the neons may have a limited lifespan.

Aquabid can be either fast or take like a day. All depends...

Okay so I will cycle fish in as the plants need an ammonia source. So people were telling me not to get neons or cories as my water is harder and higher pH. I don't really understand as we always say, the Betta will adjust to the pH. So why not other fish that are bred and are hardy? Doesn't make sense does it? Oh well I will probably still do it as I can't find any shell dwelling cichlids, though I would rather have them in a bigger tank as they are aggressive and need to be kept in pairs. A 20 gallon could house 2-3 pairs safely.

Well I have to do an English assignment but my sister is using her laptop, I told my mom to look at it earlier... Nope didn't. Now I have to drive to my other sisters house to finish it and print it. Grrrrrrrrr!

How long did it take for aquabid to send you a password? I just registered 'cause I need to order medicines and I'm wondering when I'll get my password. Also, now that I'm registered I have no excuse not to order a fish from there. >.<

Once the tank is fully cycled and if you keep up on at least 35-40% water changes a week, I would say you could easily get 1-2 dwarfs, 10 neons or 8 rummynoses, and 4 peppered cories. But until the tank is cycled, probably just the dwarfs. Neons and cories aren't good for cycling and I'm not sure about rummynoses. Their little noses would always be washed out during hte cycling process, that's for sure.

Yeah, the water here is hard and alkaline too, around 8 also. Good to know since I do kinda want to start a saltwater tank someday. But bad because I always wanted some south American cichlids and they need soft and acid. :{

I am gonna go to bed, or at least lay in bed. I will probably just be on my phone though...