[davemonkey]

Unless you are keeping tender species or aiming for a specific biotope, there really isn't a need to adjust the pH from 7.5 (in my experience). I've kept many species of fish anywhere from 6.2 to 8.0 and didn't have any problems except with cardinal tetras. Most plants will adjust as well except the more difficult ones.

As far as trace elements, you want to add fertilizers for the plants, but it doesn't have to be at water change time. Just start a regime and stick with it, adding Macros (N,P,K) and micros (lots of other stuff/trace elements).

-Dave

 

[davemonkey]

Here's a good article to start with about the basics. You can click on links at the bottom of that page to go to the different sections in the article:

http://www.aquatic-plants.org/articles/basics/pages/index.html