Small update -
I got me a small school of 6 neon tetras 3 nerite snails and 5 cherry shrimp.
I kind of got cold feet and decided that a true iwagumi will not be nice for the neon tetras as they like low light and lots of plants.
They have settled in but mainly like to sit in the corner behind the intake and the rock.
So far I added some Rapens. I'm worried that the bioload might be too much for the plants I have...
To that end Im waiting on the delivery of :
Cryptocoryne willisii
Echinodorus vesuvius
Tropica Salvinia auriculata
Frogbit
The plan is to make a corral for the floaters and give the tank some shade this should help with the surplus nitrate/oxygen levels as well as make some shade for the neons so they will be happier and braver as well as plant the other plants to make the scape a bit more fish friendly. .
Ultimately I decided that I want a new light.
Currently water reads at 0.25 nitrates. Not going to add any fertiliser for now.
The one I have is functional but the only setting on it is the 24 hr light cycle or on/off button
So there is no way for me to control timing and intensity As there is a bit more nitrites about from the livestock and not all that many plants I think its likely I will get some algea. Already can see some
I seem to have some brown algae which I kind of hope will keep growing as I would like to get a couple Otos for the tank.
Apparently they thrive on the brown algae so I don't necessarily want to eradicate it.
Is anything with my approach wrong ?