pH issues
Looks like you still have another week or so to hold, once both nitrite and ammonia are 0ppm you’re set for a couple new fish. Bio- Spira can be added prior to fish, but their suggestion is to make sure the tank receives a little extra boost of bacteria when new fish are added which can often cause a small mini-cycle to occur. I think that’s a fine plan. You can also start to add a pinch of flake food a day to the tank, although the plants are basically cycling the tank for you, the added food will add a little more waste to increase the population size of the bacteria colonies.
Now unfortunately it would appear that your LFS may not know their aquatic plants as well as you would like. Bamboo and white ribbon plants are not aquatic, they will perish within a month and pollute the water. You’d be best to return or plant them in a pot before they start to rot. And “umbrella plant”… I’d need to know a more scientific name, however this sounds like another non-aquatic species. The sword is good.
You may be best to pick up some fast growing stem plants online or check with us before you buy more plants there.
As for fish, unless you know what you want, mollies and platties are commonly used as first fish as they tend to be quite hardy. But keep in mind that you can only have so many so if you don’t find something you really like, walk away before the urge to come home with fish takes over 
Hope that helps Giancarlo Podio, LMD
Category: Philippines Internet Koi Society
