Hi

Thanks very much for your replies . I agree my use of high light and assuming the use of floating plants would cut out the excess was probably my mistake, I had a soil substrate of cactus compost which I could see working with CO2 bubbling out occasionally, but it probably was not enough as you say. When I fist started off with plants in my aquarium about 5 yrs ago I had similar issues, with plants melting, which I put down to a plain gavel substrate, very low light and my own inexperience , however with the same reaction in my Walstad style tank I had wondered if water was the issue. I think due to my high light levels already present and my wish to experiment with aquascaping I will give EI a try and if there are no real disadvantages to using my artificially softened water, I will use that due to it being a nearer water source. Can you give me any advise as to what I should be thinking about dosing, or the amounts I should be aiming for.

Again any advise or comments appreciated