Something is off with the tank.
Plants are just not growing and melting alot. Even the Hygrophilas Stems have been melting, and they normally grow like weeds for me.
Going to take a few readings and see what they tell me.
Lighting I think is ok, as the x3 luminaires give 72watts full spectrum and then I have the Fluval aquasky 28w.
Its strange for plants to not grow well for me. Most of the time I just leave them to it until it becomes a jungle and then remember to trim. I have been dosing 15ml each week after water change of TNC complete. Thought i would give this one a try, as had been using the Arka ones as had bought them with staff discount.
Hair grass tried that again and it melted away. So replaced with lovely Dwarf Sag, and that has almost melted away and only a few are showing new growth.
Giant Vall, has not melted, but not showing any new growth.
The only things that are doing well is the duckweed, which covers the entire surface between water changes.
On another note, The caves I ordered for the fire reds came. And they took about a week to fully sink. I got Savu Pods, and x1 is occupied at the moment by a female, and she has banked up the gravel to block off the entrance etc.
I rehomed quite a few fish, as saw some rather stunning Samurai Gourami (Sphaerichthys vaillanti) @ Bardills. So bought all they had, And I have at least one Dominant Male who colours up nicely. And they spend all day hunting amongst the Island for shrimp.
BN Male has not trapped any of the females for a while now, though he is always guarding the tunnels. Hopefully he will trap one of the Calico reds, and will get some fry. The fry from the 1st/2nd bath are doing well and can see them in the evenings eating. During the day they spend their time in the right corner of the tank munching on Algae.
Shrimp do well in the Island, and can see a few Rilli now, which is a nice surprise.
I took the island out one water change and rinsed it off a little so that I could see what else is growing in there. And I have seen Seed Shrimp, Cyclops etc, but not Gammarus, they will most likely stick to the substrate layer of plants.
Plans are afoot for a pond in the back garden, as there is a nice hilly rockery in far right corner, So that would lend itself nicely to a nice tranquil pond with waterfall etc. And there are plenty of boulders to use scattered around the back and front garden.