Also, my live plants have not been doing good in my tank. I have some grass type plant, a java fern on a rock. I think I need better lighting because the 17 watt T8 aint cutting it. Also, with my soft water, 53ppm kh and gh 71ppm. I dont know if the crushed coral is enough to boost the kh up a little. These are probably not optimal conditions for a planted tank.