new tank set up with gravel that was used for 6 months

Question
I just bought a fluval 45 gal corner tank with 205 fluval canister filtration, it was a demonstrator model that the pet store had running for 6 months. I received everything in it but the fish, therefore the gravel is over 6 months old. I just set it up with the old gravel. I have a few questions I do not know much about when to add fish or proper pH levels. What is required to have live plants in an aquarium and can I use rocks that were found at the Rocky Mountains in Alberta if I boil them.  I see rocks at the store and wonder is there only a certain rock that I can use or can I just boil the rocks I have. I am trying to decide what type of fish to put in the aquarium.  I am wondering what I could put with a parrot fish that I have upstairs in a smaller aquarium I just purchase it and it is with tiger barbs and Grammies.  I really like the discus fish, I understand that they are hard to keep and require 85 degrees heat and must be the dominant fish.  I was also looking at ciclids but they all look the same as they grow,can I put the parrot fish with African ciclids? I like the colours but I kind of want different shaped fish. Any information regarding my aquarium setup and fish selection would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hello Debora,

Your pH should be as close to 7 as possible. And for plants you need Bio-plant or some other light bulb made for plants and a filter which you said you already have. You can not use just any rock because of that some rocks let off metal in the water and that well kill the fish plants and everything elts that is in the tank overtime. Without knowing what specific rocks you where talking about I couldnt safely say they would be ok. Any rocks at a Pet store are 100% to use in your fish tank. Well you can pretty much mix any ciclid with eachother as long as they have plenty of hiding spaces. these fish are very aggressive and territorial and well kill eachother if in to small of a tank. if you want a different setup for fish I would strongly recommend mixing a Jack Dempsey Ciclid with a Tiger oscar. The closer in size you can get them the better. If you mix these two types of fish together they do amazing things that are entertaining and fun to watch for hours. Tiger Oscar is the average scientists favorite fish to study because they do so many actions and differnt things all the time, they have strong personalitys. They run about 25 dollars for one so they are not to bad on price.

If you have any further questions I would be glad to answer them.

Mike M.