puttyman70

I can't help much with precise scientific reassurances but I would second the don't worry about the low pH vote. I have very soft water and stressed over the same issues you are. My pH test kit only reads to 6 and it always there so its probably lower. Also like you I didn't want to start messing with the water. It's been about 9 months now and I haven't had any problems.

The tank is looking great, patience grasshopper. lol.

Tex Gal

Thanks guys! I guess all is well since all the fish are happy.

I'm out of town this week and so I can't stress over the tank. My hubby is doing my fertilizing for me and feeding. (He's got 4 tanks, sure hope he doesn't forget any.) Wouldn't it be nice to come back to a clear tank?... I know I'm gonna need to do a trim when I get home.

My Kribs are acting like they are going to lay eggs again and they still have a batch of 3 week old fry! Is it possible that they will have 2 batches going at once?!! With these 2 I think I could supply all of Texas with kribs!!

dawntwister

Puttyman do you think the soft water affects the growth of the plants?

Tex Gal

UPDATE PXS
Still fighting cloudy water. I finally broke down and ordered a diatom filter. It's backordered until March 10th. Once it comes, surely that will fix my problem.

Plants are really settling in. I did a big trim this past Friday. I'm not happy with the left side, it looks messy. I need to change a few plants around. The blyxa is finally happy. It's growing. The Marsilea is beginning to spread quite rapidly on the right side. I had gotten some glosso and planted it all along the front. While I was gone my catfish - plecos and loaches I suspect, uprooted it all. The HC is still planted in a patch of 2 and is spreading. I think it looks too small for the tank. I will let it grow and see how it looks with everything.

My reds are doing great. They have colored up well. The sunset hygro is getting pink at the top. The R Macrandra is gorgeous - I have trimmed it back and replanted. The ludwigia repens is colored up, but only near the top. I had so much overgrowth while I was gone I'm hoping that it will color further down since I'm here to keep it trimmed. The Myriophyllum Mattagrossense is growing like wildfire! I love the look but it does require intensive maintenance! Having a bit of trouble with the R. Magenta-narrow leaf. It's growing great, good red color, but not as bushy as I'd like. I have it in 2 tanks and it's growing the same in both tanks. Anybody have any ideas for me? Also Bolbitus is just stagnant. Rhizomes still there but no new leaves. I feel like I'll be old and gone before I see that plant looking good!

Lost a black molly female. She was pregnant. I think maybe she just couldn't deliver. Everyone else seems fine. Still have extremely low pH. Down around 5.6. I hate that low number, but I guess it shouldn't matter since everybody is happy.

I keep longing for the 9325K bulbs. Wish they made them for my fixture. Hopefully as they get more popular they will offer a wider range of sizes and pin types.

Marsilea filling in:


Full tank shot:

DonaldmBoyer

you know, Tex.........a picture is worth a thousand words.

Tex Gal

...are ya tryin' to say I talk too much?

DonaldmBoyer

Show us pics!!

Tex Gal

I almost hate to ask, but.... what do you want pxs. of?

DonaldmBoyer

Of your tank!?!? You talk about it, but I would like to see updated pics of it.

What else would I be talking aboot? ;p

Tex Gal

See post #54..... see the 2 pxs there... I was trying to wait for the cloudy water to clear up... but I think I may be dead by then....