[mommabear1007]

plant one looks like a sword. plant 2 looks like bacopa carolinia.

 

[mommabear1007]

Seems like you should have plenty of room for those fish. I don't see any algae in your tank - do you have enough to feed the otos? Are you going to fertilize? I'm not entirely familiar with the filter and probably not the best person to ask about stocking but I thought I'd reply anyway

 

[mommabear1007]

Thanks any help is super greatly appreciated! I feed the otos zuchini overnight everyother day so I think theyre okay. As far as ferts go im dosing Seachem Flourish Excel if thats even considered a fert? But the filter is fairly old so I dont blame you! Marineland doesnt even make the 170 anymore.

I'm not really sure if that's considered a fert to more experienced hobbyists or not. I wouldn't think so but in a way it kinda is.

I would think your plants would benefit from macros and micros with the light and the CO2 that you have. Especially once you add the DIY CO2.

I also agree that your tank needs more plants. But it still looks really good so far. And I don't know much about that many plants so I don't really have any suggestions for foreground plants, either. I do know that c. parva stays small.. if that helps.

 

[mommabear1007]

Macro Nutrients: Carbon (C), Oxygen (O), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Sulphur (S)
Micro: Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Zink (Zn), Copper (Cu), Boron (B), Nickel (Ni), Chlorine (Cl) and Molybdenum (Mo)

It's cheapest to dose with dry ferts. you can get them from greenleafaquariums.com and i think some other places, too.

 

[mommabear1007]

i don't think one is better than the other. just check prices

i've never seen a little bug like that before, that is kinda cool! its not eating your plants is it?