[xenxes]

Wow, is that too much light for the tank, 26W? Pearls may be just from a water change, and oxygen getting trapped down below.

Anyway, nice to see a local Miamian. Love the tank, good thing you removed that annoying center piece / stock light

I agree with aweeby that you should change the hardscape, remove the rocks and decor and get a piece of driftwood and tie some moss on it, for a more natural look. For hiding spots for shrimp, get some cholla wood or bamboo charcoal, easily hidden beneath plants. After your plants grow out more you really won't need a hiding place for the shrimp, as dense plants foliage is enough.

 

[xenxes]

Yeah the stock light/filter piece was not good for plants. I struggled deciding whether or not to take it out because after all that is what makes that tank cost what it costs. I mean I could find a plain glass tank (bigger than mine) for less than $5 up in Hialeah :biggrin:. But well, I already had this tank and finally after unsuccessful attempts of growing plants under the crappy stock light, I decided to take it out and replace it with the current light.

Well thanks for the ideas and tips. But for the time being the cave is staying:icon_lol: Let's just see how it turns out and latter I will see.

Lol WHAT? Please tell me where you can find a glass tank for $5 in Hialeah. Probably won't hold water w/o some work?

As for the light, that's considered pretty high for a tank this size (5.2 watt / g). But if you're dosing Excel daily you might not encounter a big algae problem, and if you do, add Nerites until you achieve balance. I only use it as an algaecide, not sure if it helps that much with growth when you have fauna producing natural CO2. I haven't gassed any of my tanks and plan to keep them natural, they're all still growing fine.

 

[xenxes]

Nice, DIY lid

I found that when I didn't have a lid I wanted one, and when I had a lid I always left it uncovered.

Haven't been back to Neighborhood Fish Farm in a while, it's a bit of a drive for me.

 

[xenxes]

Have you tried using floating plants? I haven't had any problems with suicidal fish. Had a shrimp jump out once when I kept it with a betta, stupid idea.