Thanks for the advice, one of the things I'll do is reduce feeding.

I think we can sum it up so far in getting the nutrient balance right, which is probably my main problem. Did a bit of thinking yesterday based on the following; please share your opinion

1. plant growth is based on the right balance and right amount of nutrients. Nutrient numero uno is Light. I have 1.7wpg, so that should be OK (not brilliant but I'm not prepared yet to spend the money required for 4 x t5s!). So I realised, when was the last time I replaced the original bulbs as I bought the tank second hand - then I recalled the seller saying to me, "I was into plants myself, but if you are then I'd replace the bulbs"...so I bought 2 plant bulbs yesterday and replaced them. Light sorted

2. Next most important nutrient is CO2. I have presurrised. Second reflection / realisation is that I had been fiddling with CO2 as I had fish hanging at the surface. I have then realised that it may not be the amount injected but saturation was coming about due to lack of flow causing CO2 build up at one end of the tank - I had hindered the flow due to bogwood positioned to hide ugly filter outputs - bogwood has been moved - so CO2 will be sorted

3. Next one is fert dosing. I use EI doisng as it suits the efforts I can put in through the week and the time I have at weekends in comparison. The big water changes aren't a problem. On reflection I'd been doing full EI dosing on plants that were not fully grown or growing well. So I think I came to the decision to start of at 1/2 dosing to start and slowly build up to full EI dosing as the plants take hold again.

In the meantime, I'm going to continue with the blackout and add Excel to kill off all algae thats in there.



Thank you again, and please keep the opinions and advise coming on this one - it's extremey helpful in supporting my thoughts on getting this one right - and I'm absolutely determined to make this tank a success!!!