Thanks Tex Gal. I know I wiped out a lot of my biofilter and nutrients during the gravel/live plant renovation. I'd hoped I had retained enough of my biofilter by keeping my filter media as it was, without rinsing, as evidenced by no ammonia spikes. I have three different ammonia tests (Mardel, Sea Chem and API) so unless all three are faulty, I'm certain my ammonia levels have consistently been zero. I have read about some Eco-complete startup problems and perhaps that was a factor three-plus months ago but I would hope any substrate-related changes would have sorted themselves out by now. I've looked at the AZ Gardens site and would like to get some of their low light plants but will need to wait until I can satisfy their minimum order requirements.

I reset the timer today to keep the lights on for a total of 10 hours but with a break in the photoperiod mid-day; if nothing else, I'll be able to keep the lights on later in the evening after I get home from work. I also got the Eheim 2213 filter I bought two months ago hooked up and running today; in addition to the Penguin 350, that should improve the circulation in the tank, particularly given my fish load. I am not gravel vacuuming heavily; only lightly in areas with visible dead plant matter on the top (around the hornwort in particular).

The one big question that remains is in regard to water changes in a low-light, no-CO2, lightly fertilized, fully stocked but well-filtered planted tank, because I am getting different answers. There seems to be two schools of thought. One is that weekly water changes are absolutely necessary no matter what, which is what you guys seem to be saying, as well as my LFS (tho they recommend smaller 10-20% changes every 1-2 weeks). The other side says that frequent and/or large water changes can actually make things (including algae) worse by upsetting the balance in a low-tech tank, as discussed here. I do understand the need for balance, I'm just not certain how to achieve it in my case, particularly given this significant difference of opinion. I really want to develop one plan and stick with it--but which plan?? Would really like a definitive answer, but maybe there isn't one...?