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The reason I suggested to cut back on adding liquid ferts is b/c until your plants acclimate and start to grow there's nothing to make any beneficial use of them. Also as Rivercats stated dry ferts are less expensive, you might look into making your own liquid ferts it's cheaper and will last...

Couldn't agree more, stable parameters and a good tank maintenance routine is all you need to worry about. I don't know how long you've had your tank setup but most recent setups have low nitrate levels. No worries though b/c over time your nitrate level will rise and you may start asking how to...

Your tank parameters and setup are good. You have a CO2 source, good lighting, nutrient rich substrate and water. I agree with everyone that should remove your plants from their pods, plant them, and just be patient my friend. Your plants will look hopeless at first but once they acclimate to...

Yeah I enjoy my tank much more without the noisy bubbles. If your wondering about the plant die off due to gas exchange it's b/c (without CO2 injection) the little bit of available CO2 is gassing out of your tank in exchange for oxygen. Too much surface agitation caused by filters, pumps, or...

Bulk Reef Supply sells a DIY kit to make a screen top for your tank, thats something that might work for you. If you have an air stone in your tank then you might consider removing it. Before removing my air stones my tank lids and HOB filters would get really nasty but now the problem is...

I purposely keep my planted tanks hardness at 500+ with wonder shells that slowly add calcium and magnesium that is beneficial for fish health and plant growth. At one time my plants weren't doing much either but I discovered it had to do with the lack of macro and micro ferts. Straight RO water...

I've heard that they can on smaller tanks like yours so maybe smaller water changes or a 50% every two weeks.

Have you tried using peat moss or driftwood so that it gradually lowers your ph overtime?

Try using some cheap LEDs for night time viewing. I have mine setup with a timer, they turn on after the main lights go off and turn off around 11:00pm.

Totally agree. That was a great answer

I've noticed my own reflection sometimes when I'm looking through the front of the glass if the my tank lights are dim/off and the room lights are on. So is it possible in a dim/dark room the fish can see their reflection with the tank lights on?

Why are you so concerned about your GH and KH levels? I recommend that you don't do anything your parameters are fine. I have met people who successfully keep soft water fish in similar water parameters as yours so if keeping soft water fish is your concern your fine. Maybe if you're going to...

Any time, keep us posted.

API sells a kit for both KH/GH testing you can find in most pet/fish stores. I've been doing a lot of research on aquarium water chemistry and have experience messing with own. This site has been very helpful to me http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumKH.html

Well the lack of KH buffers can cause low or unstable PH. My tap water ph is 8.8. But my tank sits at 7.4 and my KH is 5dk. You should test your tap waters KH and GH, you don't have to let it sit before you tests it

How long have your tanks been setup? Is there a certain ph level that you want? Really what you want is a stable ph most fish can acclimate to low or high levels just as long as its stable.

Sorry got cut off. That's the same water I add to my tank after a 50% WC and after an hour or so the test results for my tank will read; PH - 7.4 Ammo - 0.0 Nitrite - 0.0 Nitrate - 20ppm I wouldn't go off spending $ on more equipment just yet just be patient.

Those results are the same for my tap water except the ph reads at 8.8 on mine. Be patient with your cycle once your tank starts to establish it will take care of that. That's the same water I add to my tank after a

?You sound like me. Maybe getting a second nitrate test kit or taking a water sample to LFS for a second look. I've heard of people sometimes getting inaccurate test results. If your using API test kit be sure to shake the heck out of bottle #2. I'm no plant expert but maybe your plants are...

Thoroughly cleaning your filters (not the media) on a regular basis, and deep gravel vacs in open areas/under decor with each water change should help bring your nitrate levels down. You can vacuum around your plants as well just don't go too deep into the substrate. What types of food do you...

Can you keep peacock gudgeons at high temp like 80 to 86 degrees?

From my personal experience hydrogen peroxide 3% is fairly safe, what you want to do is spot treat the blue green algae (Cyanobacteria) don't just pour peroxide into your tank. There're a couple of videos on YouTube of a kid doing this if you need a visual. Here's what I think you should do and...

Yeah tap waters chemistry can change I don't know how good you are with chemistry but it looks like you will need to start adding alkaline and acid buffers. Personally I would use Seachem products, others may recommend stuff like baking soda, crushed coral and aragonite but I would rather use...

When testing the PH of your water source make sure to let it set out for a 24hr period before testing. For example my tap water's PH will read above 8, after 24 hrs it will read about 7.8 and my tank's PH is 7.4. Make sure your test kit isn't expired. Your tap water may need alkaline buffers to...

If your balas are small and in a small group like less than three, they could just be a little frightened. Balas are a very skittish, fast swimmers, jumpers, and very active once they get use to their home and/or in larger groups. They can grow up to or well over a foot long in a year or year...