So the Princess Tank is about four months old now. Levels have stayed constant for about two months now. We lost two fish since the setup, but both were within a couple of days of purchase. We did lose all three snails. I have never really determined the cause. And we lost two ghost shrimp (one the day after I introduced her and the other, which I had for a few weeks, after she ate her dead tank mate).
I have upgraded the filter to a 20 gallon filter, added a medium size air stone and pump, and rearrange the decor until I and the tank residents seemed happy.
It is still bright and colorful, but my two year old loves helping daddy feed the fish and the nine month old loves to sit in her bouncer and watch them.
Our tank is stocked with the original Dalmatian Molly and Mickey Mouse Platy we purchased four months ago, a Red Wag Platy, a school of four Neon Tetras, and two (I think there are still two) Ghost Shrimp. I have been amazed at how much the MM Platy has grown!
I am currently doing 30-50% water changes once a week and cleaning the gravel and decor every three to four weeks. Water parameters are staying great. And all through our home flooded and we had to leave the fish here while we were displaced for almost three weeks (don't worry we were by almost every day) everything is great.
The tank has been very rewarding and our family loves our pets. I have to say this forum has the greatest source of accurate information I have found on the net. Thank you to each and every one who answered my questions or commented on my updates. You all are awesome.
