Thanks for the replies!

Tom, when you say CO2 sounds like most of the issues, I'm guessing that you mean I have to little (I have yet to read that you can have to much...)? I've read enough from both you and Hoppy about CO2 that I decided to higher on the chart. I guess I need to go higher? I do perform a kh and ph test every day (cause I'm paranoid for my fish). I'm usually between 40-50ppm on the chart. If I can keep things stable, does it sound reasonable to slowly up it for awhile? Maybe try to keep my ph at 6.0 instead of 6.5? I'm already a little on the low side for my dwarf puffers, but they aren't showing any signs of stress that I can tell.


I will do a wtaer change tonight. Even the first 3 days after I started dosing, I really wanted to do a water change, since the water was looking a little rough, but I chose to wait it out thinking that was the EI rules. I will happily do more frequent water changes.

I'm gonna stick out my current flourite/boilied soil for awhile yet though. I have a fancy layout with sand and dividers that I'm not interested in redoing anytime soon. :-O But if water changes and CO2 adjustments don't help, I will go that way.

Hoppy, I've been reading alot about the drop checker here, at planted tank, and that other site where you made the DIY drop checker. I'm going to make one as soon as I can find acrylic tubing and sheets somewhere in my area.

About the light height... How close could I safely lower them on to an open tank? I really want an open tank, not to mention that divider/hinge for the glass top eats up 20% of the tank width and makes a huge shadow in the tank. Or if I want to keep it heigh off the tank, then I need to what, double my lighting? I really like the way it looks heigh off the tank. I know thats secondary, but it's still somewhat important to me.

For ferts, I was suggested KN03, KH2P04 & CSM+B. Disclaimer: I have no chemistry experience, nor do I wish to have any more than necessary to keep my plants alive!


Again, Many thanks!