Quick update:
Beginning to look a bit better - stems have had a few trims and are beginning to bush up and colour up. I'm setting myself the goal of having this scape looking how I want it to by mid May with a view to participating in the IAPLC (I'm under no illusions this is a technically pretty basic, somewhat overgrown nature scape, so if I make the top 2000 I'll be pleased...mainly using this as a deadline to motivate me to get the algae sorted...)
New plants are mostly doing well - Ranunculus and pinatifida in particular, wheras the AR mini pretty much all melted which was a bit suprising. The schismattoglotis is doing alright, though has shed quite a few leaves.
BBA is still present but doesn't seem to be effecting new growth thanks to the up in co2 & ferts - it's mainly having success on old anubias/buce leaves and in and around the more patchy bits of carpet/lileopsis. It's also firmly taken hold on bits of the hardscape. I've got some easy carbo on the way so will start dosing fairly heavily with that and hope that sees it off alongside an increased w/c regime (baby sleep pattern permitting!
Some snaps:
Stems from above. The H'ra looks way more orange thanthis in person!
Pearling ludwigia and rotala
The pinnatifida is really taking off!
FTS. I'm not overly happy with the left hand side but not quite sure what to do about it. I was expecting the blyxa to put on a fair bit more height than it has done so it all looks a bit flat until you hit the stems. Will have a mull and possibly move some taller crypts further forward to add a bit of variation -any thoughts? I think I've already got too many varieties of plants so don't think my normal plan of "add a new plant" is suitable here!
Hope you're all getting the chance to enjoy your tanks and a lot of chocolate over the bank holiday!