So it has almost been a year since I have set up this dirted tank. I added miracle grow potting mix (about an inch) and then topped it off with gravel (about an inch). I then added some plants to the aquarium. The only thing is I have never seen this explosive growth everyone seems to talk about! Am I doing something wrong? I attached a picture of the tank today. In the front and in the back right corner from the beginning I have had those amazon swords. They have continued to grow but sometimes the leaves are pale and aren't as green or shaped like everybody else's. In the front right I have an anubias on a rock that has always done well. In the middle back I have rotala indica that has grown green but hasn't just started growing very fast. The far back left I have just recently gotten cryptocorne spiralisis that has been growing well but the leaves always fall down. (that may be because the filter outlet is there but I am not so sure) Also, when I set up the tank initially I added jungle val but that died totally, recently I added italian val and that died too. Finally, I have on a log in the front left java fern that was growing great but ever since I have added liquid carbon (LFS told me that might help) it has not been growing as well. I have 2, 18 watt T5's that are 6700K. This is a 36 gallon tank. Please help! What plants should I get, what adjustments should I make so I can get lots of growth like those tanks I see. Do I just need to buy more plants? Sorry for the rant, help is very much appreciated!